Red Fort Blast: Amit Shah Orders Full Probe as NIA Takes Charge of Delhi Car Explosion Case

New Delhi, November 10 — Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday vowed a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the devastating Red Fort car blast that claimed 10 lives and injured 24 others in the heart of India’s capital. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has officially taken over the case to examine whether the explosion was a terror-related act or the result of an accidental detonation.

The explosion occurred around 6:52 pm near Gate No. 1 of Red Fort Metro Station, when a Hyundai i20 vehicle bearing a Haryana registration number suddenly erupted in flames after halting at a red light. The impact was so powerful that debris scattered across a 100-metre radius, damaging nearby vehicles and injuring several pedestrians.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud boom followed by a flash of fire that engulfed the car within seconds. Local vendors and commuters ran for cover as emergency services rushed to the site.

Amit Shah: ‘Every Angle Being Probed’

Home Minister Amit Shah expressed deep grief over the incident and assured that the probe would leave “no possibility unexplored.”

In an official statement, Shah said, “The explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort that took innocent lives is deeply distressing. I have directed central and local agencies to conduct a full investigation into every angle — technical, chemical, and terror-related — to determine the exact cause.”

He confirmed that a joint team of the NIA, National Security Guard (NSG), and Delhi Police Special Cell is now leading the investigation. The Home Ministry has sought a preliminary report within 48 hours and has ordered security audits of all major tourist and transport hubs in the national capital.

NIA Takes Over Case; Forensics Begin

A senior NIA official told All India Story that forensic teams have collected fragments from the car’s undercarriage, fuel tank, and metallic residues to determine whether the blast was caused by chemical accelerants or an improvised explosive device (IED).

Early reports suggest that while no detonator wires or triggering devices were immediately visible, the pattern of the explosion and the burn intensity point toward external ignition.

Investigators are now cross-referencing the incident with the recent seizure of over 300 kg of explosives from a warehouse on Delhi’s outskirts. The similarity in chemical traces between the two sites has prompted authorities to explore the possibility of a linked terror network operating in and around the NCR region.

City on High Alert

Soon after the blast, security agencies declared a citywide high alert, with intensified checks across Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), all Delhi Metro stations, and railway hubs. CISF personnel increased surveillance, and NSG bomb disposal teams carried out secondary sweeps across key public areas.

Traffic movement near Red Fort, Daryaganj, and Chandni Chowk was restricted for several hours as fire tenders, ambulances, and investigators worked through the night.

Hospitals including Lok Nayak, RML, and Lady Hardinge received the injured, many suffering from burns and impact trauma.

Political, Security, and Public Response

The blast has sent shockwaves across the nation’s political and security spectrum. Opposition parties extended condolences but demanded accountability over Delhi’s preparedness for such incidents.

Security analyst Dr Tara Karta said the location of the explosion — near one of India’s most significant historical and political landmarks — suggests “a calculated symbolic act rather than random misfortune.”

Former UP DGP Prakash Singh noted, “The Red Fort has been targeted before, and every attack here carries an emotional and political message. This must be treated as an act of terror until proven otherwise.”

For Delhi residents, the incident has reignited memories of earlier urban terror strikes — including the 2000 Red Fort attack and the 2005 Sarojini Nagar bombings.

Next Steps and Wider Coordination

The NIA will coordinate with the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) to trace possible foreign or interstate involvement. Forensic teams have been instructed to submit residue analysis reports within 72 hours, while cyber units are monitoring encrypted communication channels for chatter linked to extremist networks.

As Amit Shah reaffirmed, “The government will uncover the truth and bring every individual responsible — directly or indirectly — to justice. Delhi’s safety and national integrity are non-negotiable.”

As the investigation unfolds, Delhi remains under heightened surveillance, with security forces determined to prevent another strike on India’s capital — a city that continues to balance its ancient history with modern vulnerability.