At least eight people were killed and six others injured after a powerful explosion ripped through a car near the historic Red Fort in Delhi on Sunday evening, sending shockwaves across the congested Old Delhi neighbourhood.
According to officials, the high-intensity blast occurred near Gate 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station, engulfing nearby vehicles in flames. “It was a very powerful explosion,” said a senior Delhi Police official, adding that the cause of the blast is yet to be determined.
Visuals from the scene showed a van with its doors blown off, a mangled car, and several vehicles on fire as bystanders rushed to help the injured. A large crowd gathered around the site before police cordoned off the entire area, which is typically bustling with tourists and locals.
The Delhi Fire Department confirmed receiving a call around 6:30 p.m. and dispatched nearly 20 fire engines to douse the flames. The injured were rushed to Lok Nayak Hospital (LNJP), where authorities confirmed the deaths.
Residents in the area described scenes of chaos and panic. “I saw a huge fireball from the terrace of my house. The blast shook our windows,” said one eyewitness. Another resident who was at a nearby gurdwara said, “We heard a deafening sound and ran outside — we couldn’t tell what had happened.”
The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and National Security Guard (NSG) teams have been sent to the site to investigate the nature of the explosion. Security has been tightened across the capital, with the area around the Red Fort sealed off for further examination.
The incident comes just hours after police in Haryana’s Faridabad uncovered a major explosives cache in a rented house belonging to Dr Mujammil Shakeel, a doctor from Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities have linked him to what they describe as a “white-collar terrorist network” involving radicalised professionals.
The joint operation between Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir Police over the past 15 days led to the recovery of more than 2,900 kg of bomb-making materials, raising concerns about possible links between the two incidents.
Police and intelligence agencies are investigating any connection between the Faridabad explosives haul and the Delhi blast, as authorities urge the public to remain calm but vigilant.
Source: NDTV