New Delhi: Panic and chaos gripped the capital on Monday evening after a massive car explosion near the historic Red Fort rocked the city, killing at least eight people and injuring more than twenty others. The blast, which occurred around 6:50 p.m. near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station, sent shockwaves across the bustling Chandni Chowk area as flames engulfed multiple vehicles and windows shattered across several nearby buildings.
Eyewitnesses described the terrifying scene — a deafening sound followed by a huge fireball and clouds of smoke rising above the fort walls. “It felt like an earthquake. Cars were on fire and people were screaming for help,” said a local shopkeeper who narrowly escaped the blast.
Emergency services rushed to the spot within minutes, with seven fire tenders and multiple police teams battling the blaze and evacuating the injured to nearby hospitals. Authorities have confirmed that a high-intensity explosive device was used, and forensic teams are investigating the source and motive behind the attack.
Following the explosion, Delhi Police, NIA, and Special Cell units sealed off the area, launching a full-scale investigation. Sniffer dogs and bomb disposal squads were deployed as security agencies scoured the site for evidence. Preliminary reports suggest that the car was parked for several hours before the explosion — raising suspicions of a planned act of terror.
As a precaution, Delhi and Mumbai were placed on high alert late Monday night. Security has been tightened at metro stations, airports, and crowded public places, with police conducting random checks and patrols.
