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

A massive explosion near Delhi’s historic Red Fort on Monday evening left more than 10 people feared dead and several others injured, triggering panic across the capital. The blast occurred around 6:52 PM near Gate No. 1 of the Lal Quila Metro Station, close to the Red Fort, setting a car ablaze and damaging nearby vehicles.

According to Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, “Today at around 6.52 pm, a slow-moving vehicle stopped at the red light. An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged. All agencies, FSL, NIA, are here... Some people have died, and some have been injured in the incident. The situation is being monitored. The Home Minister has also called us, and information is being shared with him from time to time.”

Also Read: Massive Explosion Near Delhi’s Red Fort: 8 Dead, Several Injured

All major investigation and security agencies, including the NIA, FSL, and Delhi Police Special Cell, immediately reached the site. The Fire Department received an emergency call around 6:55 PM, following which seven fire tenders were dispatched to douse the flames. The explosion was powerful enough to shatter street lights and cause panic in the busy area.

While the cause of the blast remains uncertain, preliminary reports suggest it could have been triggered by a gas cylinder or a vehicle battery malfunction. However, police have not ruled out a terror angle.

“Too early to say anything,” says CRPF DIG

CRPF DIG Kishor Prasad said he was rushing to the spot and that it was too early to comment on the nature of the incident. “It is too early to say anything. I am just going to the site,” he said.

PM Modi, Amit Shah take stock of situation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to seek details of the incident. Shah has been in constant touch with Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha and the Director of the Intelligence Bureau.

Sources said the Home Minister has directed the chiefs of the NIA, NSG, and Forensic Sciences to rush teams to assist the probe and collect evidence from the site.

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Political Reactions Pour In

The Congress called the explosion “deeply distressing” and demanded a thorough and speedy investigation.
The party said in a statement, “Delhi Car Explosion: Congress calls incident ‘deeply distressing’, demands thorough probe.”

AAP convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal termed the incident “deeply worrying”.
He said, “The news of the explosion near the Red Fort is extremely worrying. It is being reported that some people have also lost their lives in it, which is deeply tragic. The police and government should immediately investigate how this explosion occurred and whether there is any larger conspiracy behind it. Negligence regarding Delhi's security cannot be tolerated.”

State Governments on Alert

Following the Delhi explosion, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis convened a high-level meeting to review the overall security situation.

After the recovery of 360 kg of suspected ammonium nitrate in Faridabad, Haryana, Fadnavis directed all police agencies to remain on high alert. “Now, after the incident in Delhi, he has once again instructed the police to remain vigilant. All agencies have been directed to remain alert,” said sources in the Maharashtra Home Department.

In Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the loss of lives. “Deeply saddened to learn about the loss of so many precious lives in the explosion near #RedFort. My thoughts and prayers are with the grieving families who lost their near and dear ones. Prayer for the swift recovery of those who have sustained injuries,” Patnaik posted on social media.

Meanwhile, in Coimbatore, police tightened security across the city. Coimbatore City Police Commissioner A. Saravana Sundar said, “Following the car blast in New Delhi, the Coimbatore city police beefed up the security immediately. Usually, we deployed 300 cops for night rounds, and we increased the strength to 600 for night rounds on Monday. All the important vital places were given protection, and the cops were asked to conduct intensive vehicle checks across the city.”

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Forensic, NIA, and NSG teams at the site

Forensic teams have arrived at the blast site to collect evidence. Teams from the NIA and NSG are also present to assist in the probe.

Connection to Faridabad Terror Module Under Probe

Investigators are also examining possible links between the blast and the earlier seizure of 2,900 kilograms of explosives in Faridabad on the same day. A senior analyst at the scene noted, “The extent of damage, the radius it has covered, the kind of damage it has caused... is leading us to believe that it is not just another car fire.”

The explosion occurred in a Hyundai i20 car in a highly sensitive zone near the Lal Qila metro station, opposite the Gauri Shankar and Jain temples — the same area that was targeted by terrorists in 2000. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a massive ball of fire, which destroyed multiple vehicles and triggered chaos in the area.

Delhi Car Blast Live Updates:

• Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha confirms explosion in slow-moving vehicle near Red Fort.

• PM Modi takes stock of situation; briefed by Amit Shah.

• Amit Shah speaks to Delhi Police Commissioner; NSG, NIA teams rushed to Red Fort blast site.

• NIA officials at explosion site; Uttar Pradesh placed on high alert.

• Forensic team on-site near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station.

Police are continuing to monitor the situation, and a detailed investigation is underway to determine the cause and possible perpetrators of the tragic incident.