A powerful car bomb detonated in a Hyundai i20 near Delhi's Red Fort on Monday evening, claiming 13 lives and injuring over 20 in a brazen attack that stunned the nation. The explosion at 6:52 p.m. near the Red Fort Metro Station ignited a fierce blaze, engulfing six cars and three auto-rickshaws in flames while shattering glass and scattering debris across the crowded heritage zone, a hub for tourists and locals alike.

Ankush Sharma, 28, and Rahul Kaushik, 20, were returning on a bike from Gauri Shankar Temple in Shahdara when traffic forced them to stop near the doomed vehicle. The blast hurled Ankush onto a car, inflicting 80 percent burns across his face and body with shrapnel embedded in his skin. Rahul, thrown to the pavement, lost all his hair and suffered severe burns and fractures on his legs, hands, head, and ears, leaving his hearing severely impaired.

In an act of remarkable courage, Rahul—despite bleeding heavily and in shock—managed to get Ankush to the hospital before collapsing at home. He was rushed to Guru Teg Bahadar Hospital, where doctors are fighting to stabilize both men. Rahul’s mother, sobbing as she spoke to reporters, said, “He came home trembling in fear—his entire body scorched, his ears damaged. He can’t hear properly now.” The families have demanded round-the-clock police protection, citing fears of follow-up threats.

Also Read: President Murmu on Red Fort Blast: 'Extremely Distressing'; Condemns Incident

Ankush’s sister-in-law described his condition as critical: “His face is completely charred; he needs immediate plastic surgery. Particles are lodged deep in his skin.” She expressed outrage at the security failure, stating, “This is a monumental shock. The Red Fort has heavy security—how did a bomb go off here? This cannot be tolerated.” Public anger has surged online, with #DelhiBlast trending as citizens question intelligence lapses.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached the blast site and hospital within hours, announcing an FIR under anti-terror and explosives laws. “Every angle—sabotage, terror, or otherwise—will be probed thoroughly by the NIA,” he declared, adding that forensic teams are analyzing CCTV footage and residue. Security has been tightened across Delhi, with drone surveillance over monuments and extra forces at airports, railways, and religious sites. International embassies, including the U.S., have issued travel alerts, urging citizens to avoid crowded areas as the investigation intensates.

Also Read: #JustIn: Two Suspects Detained in Red Fort Blast Case; Nationwide Alert Issued