#JustIn: Red Fort Blast Death Toll Rises to 13; PM Modi Condoles the Victims' Families

New Delhi witnessed a horrifying tragedy on Monday evening when a powerful explosion ripped through a vehicle parked near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station, killing at least 13 and injuring more than 24 people. The blast, which occurred around 6:52 pm, set multiple vehicles ablaze and sent shockwaves across the capital. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as flames engulfed cars and electric rickshaws while thick plumes of smoke rose over the heritage site. Firefighters and police personnel swiftly arrived at the scene, dousing the flames as forensic teams began combing through the charred wreckage for evidence.

Preliminary reports suggest that the explosion originated from a Hyundai i20 car, triggering a massive fire that damaged at least six cars, two e-rickshaws, and an autorickshaw parked nearby. The blast’s intensity was such that glass windows shattered in buildings several meters away, and the sound was audible as far as ITO. Eyewitness accounts indicate body parts scattered near the site, underscoring the ferocity of the blast. One injured witness said he saw a Swift car in front of his auto moments before it exploded, adding that the fire engulfed the entire area within seconds.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that all investigative agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), National Security Guard (NSG), and the Delhi Police Special Cell, have been deployed to examine the incident from every angle. “We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation. The public will be informed of every finding,” Shah stated, adding that he would personally visit the site and meet the injured at the hospital. Delhi has been placed under high alert, with security tightened across vulnerable public spaces, metro stations, and crowded markets.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the families of the victims. “Those affected are being assisted by authorities. I have reviewed the situation with Home Minister Amit Shah and senior officials,” he posted on X. The Prime Minister was briefed continuously as rescue operations continued late into the night. Meanwhile, forensic experts and NIA teams collected samples to determine the explosive materials involved, with early indications hinting at a link to the large quantity of ammonium nitrate recovered earlier in Faridabad.

In a major parallel development just hours before the Red Fort blast, Haryana Police and their Jammu and Kashmir counterparts uncovered a massive cache of 2,900 kilograms of explosives and arrested eight individuals, including three doctors, suspected of being part of a terror module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. Officials believe these arrests could be tied to the Delhi explosion, suggesting a broader terror network spanning several states. Following the blast, high alert has been issued not only in Delhi but also across Bihar, Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, as authorities work to prevent any further incidents.

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