Delhi witnessed a terrifying evening on Monday as a powerful explosion took place near the historic Red Fort, killing at least eight people and injuring several others. The blast occurred just hours after a massive recovery of explosives from a house in Faridabad, raising concerns about a possible terror connection.
The explosion happened around 6:52 pm near one of the gates of the Red Fort, close to the Lal Quila Metro Station. According to Delhi Police Commissioner, a slow-moving car stopped at a red light and suddenly exploded. The blast was so strong that nearby vehicles caught fire and were damaged. Witnesses said the explosion could be heard even several kilometres away, including at ITO.
Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that the explosion took place in a Hyundai i20 car. He said all possible angles — including terrorism, sabotage, or accident — will be investigated. Teams from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), National Security Guard (NSG), and Delhi Police’s Special Cell quickly reached the site to begin a joint probe.
Just hours before the deadly Red Fort blast, police in Haryana’s Faridabad seized a huge cache of explosives and weapons during back-to-back operations on Sunday and Monday. Over 350 kilograms of explosives, including ammonium nitrate, an AK-47 rifle, and a large amount of ammunition, were recovered from two rented houses in Dhauj and Fatehpur Taga villages.
The operation was carried out jointly by the Jammu & Kashmir Police, Intelligence Bureau (IB), and Faridabad Police, based on information received from terror suspects arrested in Jammu & Kashmir. Officials said the seizures were part of efforts to dismantle an inter-state and transnational terror module linked to the banned groups Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH).
The first raid took place on Sunday at a house rented by Dr. Muzammil Shakil, a teacher at Al Falah Medical College in Faridabad. Police said Shakil, originally from Jammu & Kashmir, had rented the property three months ago. Investigators found large quantities of explosives hidden in containers and suitcases inside the house.
A second raid followed on Monday, when police recovered around 2,563 kilograms of ammonium nitrate from another house in Fatehpur Taga village, also rented by Dr. Shakil. The house owner, a local cleric named Maulana Istaq, was taken into custody for questioning. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Varun Dahiya said it was too early to confirm whether the two hauls were part of a single larger plan but noted that the materials seized were typically used to make Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
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Although officials have not confirmed any direct link between the Faridabad explosives recovery and the Red Fort car blast, the timing and proximity of the two incidents have alarmed security agencies. Investigators are exploring whether the explosives discovered in Faridabad were part of a broader terror network planning attacks in Delhi or nearby regions.
Sources said the NIA and Delhi Police are examining CCTV footage from around the Red Fort and nearby metro stations. Preliminary reports suggest that the i20 car involved in the explosion was registered in another state. Forensic teams are analyzing the debris to determine whether the blast was caused by a bomb, gas leak, or mechanical failure.
Home Minister Amit Shah said in his briefing that “no possibility will be ruled out,” adding that the government will ensure the “strictest possible response” if the blast turns out to be a terrorist act. He also stated that intelligence agencies have been instructed to strengthen coordination and increase surveillance in major cities.
Police have detained several individuals for questioning, including the owner of the car and witnesses who were nearby at the time of the explosion. Meanwhile, multiple states, especially in North India, have been put on high alert to prevent any further incidents.
Residents living near the Red Fort said they heard a loud explosion followed by cries for help. “We saw flames rising from the car and people running in panic. It was like a scene from a nightmare,” said one eyewitness. Emergency services rushed the injured to nearby hospitals, and a team of forensic experts collected samples from the site.
Monday’s incidents have sparked fear among Delhi residents, particularly since the Red Fort is one of India’s most prominent national monuments and a popular tourist attraction. Security forces have now strengthened checkpoints across the National Capital Region (NCR) and are monitoring major public areas, including metro stations, markets, and government buildings.
Officials said the recovered explosives from Faridabad could have caused large-scale destruction if they had been used in a populated area. Investigators are now tracing the source of the materials and checking possible foreign links. They are also verifying whether the arrested suspects had any financial or logistical support from banned terror outfits abroad.
By late evening, the Red Fort area was completely sealed off, and forensic experts continued to examine the blast site under heavy security. Delhi Police have appealed to the public to avoid spreading rumours and to report any suspicious activity immediately.
The sequence of events — from the seizure of over 2,900 kilograms of explosive material in Faridabad to the car blast near Red Fort — has raised serious concerns about coordinated terror plans targeting the national capital. While investigations are ongoing, the government has assured citizens that strong measures will be taken to ensure safety and stability across the region.
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