Home Minister Amit Shah leads emergency security talks following Delhi explosion

A major explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening has left the nation shocked and worried. The high-intensity blast took place inside a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station. The explosion killed 11 people and injured several others. Following the incident, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a high-level security review meeting at his residence on Tuesday morning to assess the situation and ongoing investigation.

Top officials attend emergency meeting

The emergency security meeting, chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah, was attended by senior officials, including Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, and National Investigation Agency (NIA) Director General Sadanand Vasant Date. Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat also joined the meeting virtually.

Amit Shah expressed deep concern over the blast and said that central agencies were investigating the incident with complete seriousness. “We will have a detailed analysis of the blast with senior officers,” he had told reporters on Monday evening after visiting the injured victims at LNJP Hospital. Shah assured the public that every lead will be followed and those responsible will be brought to justice.

Investigators have confirmed that the explosion took place inside a Hyundai i20 car, which was moving slowly near a traffic signal close to the Red Fort metro station. Delhi Police sources said that the blast was powerful enough to completely destroy the car and scatter debris over a wide area.

Initial reports suggest that the car was linked to Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Delhi Police sources revealed that the vehicle was allegedly purchased by a resident of Pulwama, and officers are now working to confirm the ownership details and the driver’s identity.

According to CCTV footage obtained by the police, the car was seen entering and exiting the parking area near the Red Fort before the explosion. The footage also shows that the suspect was alone inside the car. Investigators are now retracing the vehicle’s route towards Daryaganj and have collected over 100 CCTV clips, including those from toll plazas, to map the car’s entire journey.

Police teams worked overnight to search several parts of the city, including hotels in Paharganj, Daryaganj, and nearby localities. Hotel registers were thoroughly checked, and four people were taken into custody for questioning.

Delhi Police register UAPA case, probe terror link

The Delhi Police have registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosives Act in connection with the blast. The FIR was filed at Kotwali police station under Sections 16 and 18 of the UAPA, which deal with the punishment and conspiracy for terror activities.

Senior police officials said that the car had three people inside when the explosion occurred. They are also investigating whether the blast could have been the result of a suicide attack. “We have not found any pellets or puncture marks on the bodies of the injured, which is unusual in such blasts,” a senior officer said, adding that all possible angles are being explored.

After the explosion, Delhi Police imposed a city-wide high alert. Security has been strengthened across the national capital, especially at sensitive locations such as the airport, railway stations, metro hubs, and major bus terminals. Checking at border points has also been intensified, and raids are being conducted at several locations to track suspects.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has joined the probe, and forensic experts have collected evidence from the blast site. Samples from the car and surrounding area have been sent for examination to determine the type of explosive used. Early reports suggest it could have been a high-grade explosive, but confirmation will come only after the forensic results are received.

Officials from the Intelligence Bureau are also coordinating with Delhi Police to trace potential terror links. Since the vehicle has a possible connection to Pulwama, the agencies are not ruling out the involvement of a larger network.

This explosion has once again raised concerns about national security, especially in the capital city, which has seen tight vigilance since the 2019 Pulwama attack and other terror alerts in recent years. The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed all agencies to maintain maximum alert and share intelligence inputs without delay.

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Meanwhile, security has been increased near the Red Fort, a heritage site and a popular tourist attraction. Roads around the area have been cordoned off, and teams are scanning nearby markets and public transport areas for suspicious activity.

Amit Shah, while reviewing the situation, emphasised the need for coordination between central and state security agencies. He directed the Delhi Police and NIA to work closely and submit a detailed report on the blast within 48 hours.

Residents in nearby areas described the explosion as powerful and said it shook the ground. Many passersby rushed to help the injured before emergency services arrived. Videos shared on social media showed the car engulfed in flames, with black smoke billowing into the air.

As investigations continue, police have appealed to the public to remain calm and avoid spreading rumours. They have also urged anyone with relevant information or footage to come forward and assist in the probe.

The tragic incident has left Delhi tense, but the government has assured citizens that every step will be taken to find those responsible and prevent such attacks in the future. The priority, officials said, is to ensure public safety, strengthen security checks, and track any group that may have been behind the deadly explosion.