Red Fort Blast: A Stark Wake-Up Call for Delhi’s Security Apparatus

A powerful explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening has once again shaken the national capital’s sense of security. Thirteen people were killed and several others injured after a Hyundai i20 car went up in flames around 7 pm, sparking panic in one of the most heavily guarded zones of the city.

The blast, which took place close to Gate No. 1 of the metro station, damaged multiple vehicles and sent shockwaves through the heart of Delhi.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who rushed to the LNJP Hospital to take stock of the situation, confirmed that “3–4 vehicles were damaged” and “several people have died and others are being treated.” He said that the Delhi Police Special Cell, NIA, SPG, and FSL teams were jointly investigating the cause of the explosion, keeping all angles open. Shah also briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who later expressed condolences and assured full support to the victims’ families.

Also Read: Was Delhi Blast Part of a Larger Plot? Investigators Explore Links With Faridabad Module

The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and National Security Guard (NSG) teams reached the site soon after, collecting crucial evidence from the charred remains of vehicles. The entire Red Fort zone has been sealed off, and a high alert has been sounded across Delhi, with bomb disposal squads and dog squads deployed to rule out the presence of any secondary device.

Preliminary investigations have not ruled out the possibility of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), though some officials have indicated a CNG cylinder blast as another line of inquiry. Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said the explosion occurred when a slow-moving vehicle stopped at a traffic signal, resulting in extensive damage to nearby cars. “All agencies are on the job, and updates are being shared with the Home Ministry in real time,” he stated.

Also Read: After Red Fort Blast, Assam Police Swings Into Action — State on Heightened Security Alert

What adds a chilling dimension to the incident is the discovery made just hours earlier in Haryana’s Faridabad, where police recovered 360 kg of suspected ammonium nitrate, along with a cache of arms and ammunition, from a rented accommodation linked to a Kashmiri doctor. The suspect, identified as Dr. Muzammil, has alleged connections to the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed. The recovery comes days after an AK-47 rifle was found in the personal locker of Dr Adeel, who is a senior resident at the Government Medical College (GMC) in Anantnag, News 18 had reported earlier. The arrest led police officials to another doctor, who has now been detained for questioning, officials said. 

The Red Fort explosion marks Delhi’s first major blast in over a decade, reviving memories of the 2011 Delhi High Court terror attack that killed 15 and injured more than 70. In a city that has faced multiple terror strikes in the past — from the 2005 Diwali market bombings to the 2008 serial blasts — Monday’s tragedy serves as a grim reminder that the capital remains on edge despite years of tightened security protocols.

Also Read: Nation on High Alert After Delhi Blast: Two Detained, Amit Shah to Visit Site

The incident has also prompted international concern. The US State Department, reacting swiftly, said it was “closely monitoring the situation” and “ready to provide consular assistance” if required.

As investigations unfold, the blast near one of India’s most iconic landmarks — barely a few kilometers from the Prime Minister’s residence and Parliament — underscores the urgent need to re-evaluate urban security measures. From vehicle screening to intelligence coordination, the system’s response must now shift from reactive to preventive.