Car Explosion Near Delhi’s Red Fort as Nationwide Security Alerts Raised
NEW DELHI – A powerful explosion in a vehicle near the historic Red Fort in New Delhi on Monday evening killed at least eight people and injured many others, prompting an immediate national security alert across India’s major cities.
The blast occurred at approximately 6:52 PM local time in a busy area of the old city near the Red Fort Metro Station. According to Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, the vehicle — a white Hyundai i20 — was stopped at a red light when the explosion occurred, damaging nearby cars and auto-rickshaws.
While the cause remains under investigation, authorities say multiple possibilities — including a terror-related incident — are being examined. The blast triggered fires in six vehicles and three auto-rickshaws.
In response, security officials raised the alert level in the national capital and surrounding states. Key infrastructures including the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), major railway stations in the NCR, and Metro stations have been placed under intensified surveillance by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and other agencies.
States such as Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, bordering Delhi, issued high-alert directives for religious sites, border districts and transport hubs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have been briefed and said they were monitoring the situation closely.
Authorities are urging citizens to remain calm, avoid unconfirmed rumours, and cooperate with security checks, especially in and around crowded places, transport hubs and historic sites.
