Eight people were killed and around 20 injured after a powerful car explosion rocked Delhi’s Red Fort area on Monday evening. The blast occurred around 6:52 pm near one of the capital’s most visited heritage sites, reducing nearby vehicles to mangled wreckage.
Authorities have registered a case under the Explosives Act and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), though the exact cause of the explosion remains unclear. Delhi Police officials said no shrapnel has been found so far, and forensic teams are analysing traces of explosives collected from the site.
PM Modi: “Those Behind This Will Be Brought to Justice”
Speaking from Bhutan, where he is on a two-day visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had been in constant touch with investigating agencies.
“Our agencies will get to the bottom of this conspiracy. All those responsible will be brought to justice,” he said, switching briefly from Hindi to English during his speech.
Families Mourn Their Loved Ones
Among the victims were Ashok Kumar, a Delhi Transport Corporation conductor, and Lokesh Agrawal, a shop owner from Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha district.
Lokesh’s brother Sonu told ANI that he was returning from visiting a relative in a Delhi hospital when the explosion occurred near the Red Fort metro station. “When we called his phone, a policeman answered and told us what had happened,” he said.
Ashok’s brother Devendra Kumar confirmed to IANS that his sibling’s name was on the official list of eight people killed. “He had just finished his shift and was heading home. He leaves behind three children,” Devendra said.
High-Level Security Meeting Held
Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a late-night high-level security review meeting, joined by the Home Secretary, Intelligence Bureau chief, NIA Director General, and the Delhi Police Commissioner.
Officials from Jammu and Kashmir also joined the meeting virtually.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that “those responsible for this tragedy will not be spared” and promised that findings from the ongoing investigation would be made public soon.
Red Fort Closed for Three Days
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has closed the Red Fort to visitors for three days as investigators comb the area for clues. Security has been tightened across Delhi and other states, including Maharashtra.
Meanwhile, visuals from the morning after show investigators examining burnt vehicles and debris in search of evidence.
