Delhi Red Fort Blast LIVE Updates: A powerful blast rocked the national capital on Monday evening after a high-intensity explosion ripped through a moving Hyundai i20 car near the busy area of iconic Red Fort metro station, killing at least 13. On Tuesday, the MHA handed over the case to the NIA for investigation.
At least four suspects have been detained and the police have released a CCTV footage of a masked man crossing through a parking area. Minister of Home Affairs (MHA) Amit Shah held a high-level security review meeting on Tuesday, hours after the blast near Red Fort left Delhi and the surrounding states on high alert. Stay tuned for Delhi Red Fort Blast News LIVE Updates only at Mint.
Delhi Red Fort blast: What we know so far
The blast took place at around 6.52 pm on Monday evening, as per the Delhi Police, at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort (Lal Qila) Metro Station. Several vehicles were gutted and at least 13 deaths have been reported so far. It has not been confirmed whether the explosion was a bomb blast, but a forensic investigation is underway to ascertain the nature of the explosion. A report by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) is expected to be released on Tuesday.
Delhi Police have also registered a case under various Sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
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A worker at the LNJP Hospital mortuary, described the scenes from the night as “gruesome”.
“The bodies that came in were beyond recognition. Some were just lumps of flesh. Many had their internal organs torn apart or missing. It was hard to tell one from another. That’s how devastating it was,” he told PTI.
Scenes of grief emerged from outside the LNJP Hospital as family members huddled up at the gates, after identifying bodies of their kin killed in last evening’s blast. Some could be seen pleading with hospital staff for information about missing family members, while many broke down in tears as ambulances kept arriving and departing.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar extended his condolences to India, and the families of the innocent victims killed in the blast. “Israel stands with India in its fight against terror,” he said on X.
Delhi Police’s initial investigation suggested that the blast might have been a fidayeen attack. “According to early findings, investigators believe the suspect intended to carry out an explosion. As soon as the suspect learned that a Faridabad module had been busted, he reportedly shifted to planning a fidayeen-style operation, apparently to maximise casualties and avoid capture by police,” ANI quoted sources as saying
The Delhi Police recovered the 11-hour route map of the Hyundai i20 car involved in the blast – which revealed that the vehicle had left Faridabad for the Red Fort around 11 hours before the incident, passing through multiple locations during its journey. CCTV footage showed the car was first spotted outside Asian Hospital in Faridabad at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Monday, as reported by ANI.
President Droupadi Murmu spoke to Amit Shah over the phone from Angola and enquired about the blast, reported ANI, citing sources.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired another round of high-level security review meeting on Tuesday to assess the situation following the blast.
The meeting was attended by Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director of the Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Sadanand Vasant Date, and Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha. Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat also joined the meeting virtually.
Following the blast, police in Uttarakhand’s capital, Dehradun, have intensified their checks and security measures at key locations, including the Asharodi checkpoint, ISBT, and other major public areas. Security has also been heightened at railway stations, bus stands and shopping malls.
Bhuri, a woman from UP’s Amroha, who lost her brother in the blast said she ‘doesn’t know how all of it happened.
“He was my brother. I don’t know how all of this happened. He was coming back from duty. He has three children, two daughters and one son. How will my sister-in-law raise them? This has been done by terrorists; they should be punished,” the woman told ANI.
The Delhi Airport issued an advisory, stating that the security screening might take more time than usual, in the wake of the security situation in Delhi following the blast.
To date, the police have made 3 arrests. Among those arrested on Monday were Dr Muzammil Ganaie and Dr Shaheen Sayeed, both connected to the Al Falah university in Faridabad, from where 360 kg of ammonium nitrate was recovered hours before the blast.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, on Tuesday, handed over the Delhi car blast case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA)
Security has been tightened around the Red Fort area following the blast on Monday. The blast occurred around 7 pm at the Subhash Marg traffic signal, damaging nearby vehicles and prompting a nationwide alert.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena met the victims of the blast at the Lok Nayak Hospital. Saxena, who was on his official visit to Gujarat’s Kevadia in relation to the Delhi Day celebration at “Rashtra Parv”, cut short his visit and rushed back to Ahmedabad and then to Delhi.
When asked by reporters about the Delhi car blast, Kharge said: “I have already reacted. I do not want to repeat the same thing again. Let’s wait. Then we’ll see.”
The i20 car in which the blast had occurred, had entered Delhi from Haryana via Badarpur. Sources told news wire ANI that the vehicle in which the blast occurred, was allegedly purchased by a resident of Pulwama.
Offering condolences to families of the victims of the blast near Red Fort, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari asserted there was no place for supporters of terrorism in India.
“This is a very unfortunate incident. The government has taken it very seriously, and our government will take strict action against those responsible. There is no place for supporters of terrorism in this country. I extend my condolences to those who lost their lives,” told ANI.
China on Tuesday expressed disbelief over the car blast in Delhi on Monday in which at least 12 people were killed and several injured.
“We are shocked by the incident,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a media briefing in Beijing, reported news agency PTI.
A rickshaw driver, a trader, two friends catching up—the Delhi car blast spared none, shattering the lives of those caught in the explosion and plunging families into a sea of grief.
Bereaved family members of those deceased or grievously injured in the blast near the Red Fort mourned their losses on Tuesday as authorities began identifying bodies left in the trail of destruction.
The air outside the LNJP Hospital, where the victims’ bodies are being kept, was heavy with grief and visuals showed the relatives of victims breaking down in agony.
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Police on Tuesday took the mother of the man who was suspected to be driving the car that exploded near the Red Fort for a DNA test in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, news agency PTI reported.
“We have taken the mother of the suspect to collect DNA samples in order to match with the parts found at the scene of the blast,” an official was quoted as saying.
Reportedly, Dr Umar Nabi was allegedly driving the Hyundai i20 car that was used in the blast near the parking area of the Red Fort Metro Station on Monday. He hails from Koil village in Pulwama, they said.
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director of the Intelligence Bureau, Director General of the National Investigation Agency, and Delhi Police Commissioner are present in the meeting.
The DGP of Jammu and Kashmir also joined the meeting virtually.
Sources told ANI that the review focused on the progress of the investigation into the explosion that occurred on Monday near the Red Fort Metro Station, as well as on a possible link with the recent seizure of a huge cache of explosives from Faridabad.
The Bhutanese leadership conveyed their heartfelt condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the tragic loss of lives in the Delhi car blast and offered special prayers for all those affected by the blasts, reported news agency ANI.
“Today, I come here with a very heavy heart. The horrific incident that took place in Delhi yesterday evening has deeply saddened everyone. I understand the grief of the affected families.” said PM Modi, who is on a trip to Bhutan.
“The entire nation stands with them today. I was in touch with all the agencies investigating this incident throughout last night. Our agencies will get to the bottom of this conspiracy. The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice,” the PM added.
“I wish to assure my citizens that the country’s leading investigative agencies are conducting a swift and thorough inquiry into the incident. The findings of the investigation will soon be made public,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday.
“I want to firmly assure the nation that those responsible for this tragedy will be brought to justice and will not be spared under any circumstances,” he added.
“We convey our deepest condolences who have lost their loved ones in this devastating tragedy, our thoughts and prayers are with all those grieving as well as with those who are injured or otherwise affected. We hope that collective compassion and solidarity of the nation will offer some comfort in this hour of sorrow,” said CJI B R Gavai in a statement.
Delhi Police’s initial investigation suggests that the Red Fort car explosion could be a ‘Fidayeen’ (suicide) attack, reported news agency ANI citing sources.
The probe suggests that the suspect planned the suicide attack as soon as he learnt about the Faridabad terror module being busted, the source further said.
Further details are awaited.
The death toll from the car blast near Red Fort rose to 13 on Monday, Hindustan Times reported citing a Delhi Police official.
Four to five bodies are yet to be identified, the official told HT.
“He last visited us in June during our father’s surgery. Everyone is alleging that he is a terrorist, but we have nothing to do with it. There hasn’t been a single case against our family in 50 years. We are Indians by heart – we’ve even faced stone pelting for India. He was a good person. They are not allowing us to meet him. My sister’s marriage, which he was to attend, has now been cancelled,” said Azad Shakil, brother of doctor Muzammil, now arrested in Faridabad terror module case.
The first report of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) on the high-intensity explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort area is expected on Tuesday, Delhi Police Special Cell sources told news agency ANI.
The report is likely to provide clarity on the nature and composition of the material recovered.
Restrictions and diversions will be in place on Tuesday for both carriageways and service roads: no vehicles will be allowed on Netaji Subhash Marg from Chatta Rail Cut to Subhash Marg Cut from 6 am, the Delhi Police said.
The initial probe into Monday evening’s car blast near Red Fort suggests that it was linked to Faridabad-based terror module from where nearly 3,000 kg of explosive substances were seized, reported news agency PTI, adding that detonators were likely used to set off the deadly explosion that killed at least nine people.
Preliminary findings by police suggest ammonium nitrate, fuel oil and detonators may have been used in the blast, police sources told PTI.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to chair a high-level security review meeting at 11 am on Tuesday in the Home Ministry office at Kartavya Bhawan.
The meeting, being held in the wake of Monday’s car blast in Delhi, will be attended by Home Secretary Govind Mohan, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, the Director General of the National Investigation Agency, the Delhi Police Commissioner, and other senior officials.
The iconic heritage site Red Fort will remain closed for 3 days. As per Delhi Police notice dated 11 November, the monument will remain closed till 13 November.
DCP North Raja Banthia said, “Post-mortems are also being conducted at LNJP. Five post-mortems have already been done…Yes, we have one or two unidentified bodies. We have already identified 6 bodies,” ANI reported.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed condolences over the tragic car blast. Taking to social media platform X, he wrote, “Deeply saddened by the tragic car blast in Delhi. Heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. Pray for speedy recovery of the injured.”
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta in a post on X stated, “Visited LNJP Hospital and met with the citizens injured in the accident, inquired about their condition, and wished for their speedy recovery.”
She added, “Instructed the officials that there should be no shortcomings whatsoever in the treatment of the injured and that all necessary medical facilities be provided immediately and with complete promptness.”
The railway police urged passengers to travellers to be vigilant and careful on their journey and avoid going near unidentified objects. “We are on high alert,” PTI quoted a senior RPF official as saying.
Security has been beefed up at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Dadar, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Thane, Kalyan, Panvel, Churchgate, Mumbai Central, Bandra Terminus, Borivali, Vasai and other major stations. Rigorous checking is being done on platforms by the RPF and GRP personnels. Security has been increased at Dahisar, Thane, Vashi and Airoli entry points of the city.
Relatives of Delhi blast victims were seen outside the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) mortuary on Tuesday morning.
According to agency reports, Delhi Police searched hotels in Paharganj, Daryaganj and surrounding areas through the night and checked hotel registers. Four suspects were detained in the search operation for further questioning, as per Delhi Police sources.
DCP North Raja Banthia said, “A case has been registered at Kotwali police station, and UAPA, Explosives Act, and relevant sections of the BNS have been invoked. FSL teams, forensic experts, and other specialised units are investigating the crime scene. We are collecting all evidence. We cannot say anything conclusively yet. Information will be made public once we have established facts.”
Delhi Police obtained CCTV clip of the suspect’s movement moments before the blast, according to Delhi Police sources. The suspect was seen entering the car and exiting the parking area. The suspect was alone at the time, the footage indicates. Investigation is ongoing to trace the route towards Daryaganj. The probe agency is examining more than 100 CCTV clips. Footage from nearby toll plazas has also been retrieved for examination to establish the complete movement of the vehicle.
Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) in a post on X stated, “Our hearts are with those affected by the terrible explosion in New Delhi. We continue to closely monitor the situation. Our sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.”
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