Massive Blast Near Delhi’s Red Fort Triggers Panic and National Security Alert

At least eight people were killed and 24 others injured in a powerful explosion near Delhi’s historic Red Fort on Sunday evening, police confirmed. The blast, which occurred around 7 p.m. near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station and close to the bustling Chandni Chowk area, ripped through a car and set several nearby vehicles ablaze.

According to Delhi Police spokesperson Sanjay Tyagi, the exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation. “It was a very powerful blast,” said a senior police official, adding that forensic teams and bomb experts are at the site to collect evidence.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as flames and thick smoke engulfed the narrow street. “We heard a big sound, and our windows shook,” a local resident said. Another witness said, “I saw a huge fireball from my terrace — the blast shook the buildings around.”

Fire department officials said the explosion caused six cars and three autorickshaws to catch fire. “We received a call about a car blast near Chandni Chowk Metro Station. Seven units were immediately dispatched, and the fire was brought under control by 7:29 p.m.,” said Deputy Chief Fire Officer A.K. Malik. Nearly 20 fire engines were deployed to douse the flames and assist with rescue operations.

Visuals from the scene showed mangled vehicles, shattered windshields, and crumpled bodies lying on the road. Police cordoned off the entire area, which remains one of Delhi’s busiest tourist zones.

Preliminary reports suggest the explosion originated in a Swift Dzire car. Zeeshan, an autorickshaw driver injured in the incident, said, “The car in front of me exploded suddenly. I don’t know if it was a bomb, but there was a huge blast.”

India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guard (NSG) have been deployed to assist Delhi Police. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been briefed and has spoken with the heads of the NIA and Intelligence Bureau.

Authorities in Mumbai, Jaipur, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand have been placed on high alert following the blast.

The explosion comes just a day after 2,900 kilograms of explosives were recovered from a site in Faridabad, about 50 kilometers from Delhi, and on the eve of the second phase of polling in Bihar.

The Red Fort, or Lal Qila, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of India’s Mughal heritage, remains closed to visitors as investigations continue.