Delhi Blast Near Red Fort Leaves City in Shock
A powerful explosion tore through Old Delhi on Monday evening, killing at least nine people and injuring several others near the historic Red Fort. The blast, which occurred inside a parked vehicle close to the metro station adjoining the centuries-old monument, sent flames and thick smoke into the evening sky, leaving the bustling area in chaos. Witnesses described a deafening sound followed by a burst of fire that engulfed nearby cars and tricycles. “Everything happened in seconds. I saw people running, screaming, and cars catching fire,” said a shopkeeper whose store faces the main road leading to the fort. Emergency responders battled to control the blaze as charred vehicles littered the street. Several victims were rushed to nearby hospitals, some with severe burns. Police cordoned off the scene through the night while forensic teams collected debris and examined the car believed to have carried the explosive device. Officials have opened a probe under India’s strict anti-terrorism laws, signalling suspicion of a coordinated attack. Investigators are tracing the vehicle’s ownership after discovering it had changed hands multiple times in recent months. Over two hundred CCTV cameras from surrounding roads are being reviewed to determine who last drove the car. Security agencies have raised alerts across the capital, with extra patrols deployed around government buildings and tourist sites. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the victims’ families and assured citizens that the perpetrators would be brought to justice. The Red Fort, a UNESCO heritage site and symbol of Indian sovereignty, stands as the backdrop for national celebrations each year. The choice of location has amplified fears that the explosion may have been meant as a message. Delhi, which has not seen such a major blast in over a decade, now faces renewed questions about its preparedness for urban terrorism. For many residents, the echoes of the explosion have left more than physical scars; they have reopened old memories of a city once haunted by similar attacks. As investigators piece together the fragments of evidence, Delhi remains tense, watching and waiting for answers.
| 2025-11-11 17:14:29