New Delhi, November 10: A sudden car explosion near the Red Fort Metro Station in central Delhi sent shockwaves through the city on Monday evening. The blast, which took place around 7 PM near Gate No. 1, tore through a parked vehicle and set three nearby cars on fire, shattering shop windows and throwing the busy area into chaos.
Eyewitnesses described hearing a “thunderous boom” followed by scenes of panic as commuters and tourists rushed for cover. Thick black smoke rose over the iconic Lal Qila complex, visible from several hundred metres away.
Firefighters rushed to the spot and battled the blaze for nearly 20 minutes before bringing it under control. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported, though several people suffered minor injuries from flying debris and smoke inhalation.
“Our teams are on the ground. The area has been sealed and a forensic team is collecting samples,” said a senior Delhi Police official, adding that initial evidence points to an improvised explosive device (IED) inside the car.
The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) confirmed that four fire tenders were deployed immediately and there was no damage to metro infrastructure. Bomb disposal and anti-terror units are combing the area, while CCTV footage from nearby shops and metro cameras is being reviewed.
The explosion comes barely a day after Haryana Police seized 300 kilograms of explosives in Faridabad, part of what investigators believe was a major terror plot targeting multiple cities. Authorities are probing whether Monday’s blast could be connected to that operation.
Traffic along Netaji Subhash Marg and adjacent roads has been diverted, and security has been tightened across the Delhi-NCR region. Additional patrols and checks are underway at metro stations, markets, and tourist sites.
Social media was flooded with short clips from the site showing burning vehicles and blaring sirens. One user posted in Hindi, “देश की राजधानी दिल्ली में लाल किले के सामने कार में धमाका… तीन गाड़ियों में आग लग गई” (An explosion in a car in front of the Red Fort… fire spread to three vehicles).
As of 7:30 PM IST, no organization has claimed responsibility for the incident. Senior officials from the Special Cell and the Home Ministry are expected to issue a detailed statement later tonight.
The incident has once again raised questions about urban security and the preparedness of law enforcement agencies in one of India’s most sensitive heritage zones.
