Delhi Red Fort Car Blast: 10 Dead, 24 Injured as Amit Shah Orders Multi-Agency Probe

New Delhi, November 10 — A powerful explosion ripped through a car near Delhi’s historic Red Fort around 6:52 pm, killing at least 10 people and injuring 24 others, according to officials. The car, believed to be a Hyundai i20 bearing a Haryana registration number, burst into flames while idling at a red light near the Lal Quila Metro Station, triggering panic across one of the capital’s busiest evening routes.

Witnesses described a thunderous blast followed by a fireball that engulfed nearby vehicles and roadside stalls. “The entire intersection shook. People started running in every direction,” said one shopkeeper from the Chandni Chowk area. Several rickshaws and two-wheelers were charred as flames spread rapidly before firefighters doused them.

All Agencies on Ground

Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that “all angles are being probed” as multiple central and state agencies rushed to the scene. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), Delhi Police Special Cell, Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), and intelligence units are jointly leading the investigation to determine whether the explosion was accidental or a terror-linked act.

Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said forensic experts are analysing debris to identify the ignition source. “Preliminary reports suggest an intense thermal blast, but we are not ruling out any possibility,” he stated.

Authorities have sealed the entire Red Fort perimeter, deployed anti-sabotage squads, and reviewed CCTV footage from traffic cameras to trace the vehicle’s movement prior to the explosion.

Nationwide Security Alert

Following the incident, high-security alerts were issued across Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, with special instructions for intensified checks at airports, metro stations, and government offices. Traffic movement near Red Fort, Daryaganj, and ISBT Kashmere Gate has been restricted until further notice.

Emergency response teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Delhi Fire Services worked through the evening, evacuating injured victims to Lok Nayak and Ram Manohar Lohia hospitals. Hospital sources confirmed that several victims sustained severe burn injuries, while some remain critical.

Political and Public Reaction

Home Minister Amit Shah said he was in constant touch with Delhi’s top officials. “All agencies have been instructed to coordinate seamlessly. The guilty will not be spared,” he said on social media. Opposition leaders called for a transparent investigation and enhanced city surveillance ahead of the winter session of Parliament.

The Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of India’s independence, is one of Delhi’s most secure zones. The explosion near its boundary has raised serious concerns about lapses in urban intelligence and vehicular monitoring systems.

Investigation Focus Areas

Investigators are examining whether the vehicle carried any explosive material or suffered a mechanical failure leading to fuel ignition. Officials are tracing ownership records through the vehicle’s Haryana registration. The NIA’s early observations indicate a localized but powerful detonation, suggesting possible chemical accelerants.

Meanwhile, forensic teams have collected metallic fragments and tyre residues for chemical analysis. Sources revealed that police have already identified two persons of interest seen near the car minutes before the explosion, though no arrests have been made.

Public Safety Measures

Residents have been urged to avoid the Old Delhi area and report any suspicious vehicles or unattended packages. Delhi Metro authorities have heightened security at nearby stations, including Kashmere Gate, Jama Masjid, and Lal Quila, with sniffer dogs and baggage screening counters operating round-the-clock.

A City on Edge

While no group has claimed responsibility, the blast has shaken public confidence in the capital’s security setup. The timing—during peak commuter hours and near a national monument—has raised questions about pre-emptive intelligence mechanisms in place since the 2021 Parliament security breach.

As investigations continue, India’s capital remains on alert. For Delhiites, the Red Fort blast is another grim reminder that security vigilance must evolve as fast as those who seek to disrupt it.