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New Delhi: A high-intensity explosion ripped through a slow-moving car near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, killing at least eight people and injuring 24 others, sending shockwaves across the national capital.

Blast Near Red Fort Traffic Signal

Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha stated that the blast occurred around 6:52 pm in a slow-moving vehicle near the Red Fort traffic signal, one of the busiest stretches in central Delhi.
“There was a blast around 6.52 pm in a slow-moving vehicle near Red Fort. There were passengers inside the vehicle,” Golcha told reporters at the site. “Multiple deaths and injuries have been reported. Several nearby vehicles were also damaged.”

Earlier reports had suggested that the explosion occurred in a parked car, but police later confirmed that the vehicle was in motion when the blast took place.

Massive Security and Rescue Response

Soon after the explosion, a massive security and rescue operation was launched. Ten fire tenders were deployed by the Delhi Fire Service to control the flames that engulfed several vehicles. The injured were immediately rushed to Lok Nayak (LNJP) Hospital and Guru Tegh Bahadur (GTB) Hospital.
Doctors at LNJP confirmed that eight victims were brought dead, while others are being treated for severe burn and shrapnel injuries.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, stating that the explosion was so powerful it shattered the glass windows of nearby shops. “The car burst into flames in seconds. We saw people lying on the road and vehicles burning,” said an eyewitness who operates a stall near the metro gate.

Amit Shah Briefed, High-Level Probe Ordered

Union Home Minister Amit Shah was immediately briefed about the incident by Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha and Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director Tapan Deka.
Sources said Shah has directed the chiefs of the National Security Guard (NSG) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to dispatch expert teams to the blast site to assist with the investigation and evidence collection.

“The Home Minister is in continuous touch with senior officials and has asked them to ascertain the cause of the blast at the earliest. All possibilities, including a terror angle, are being examined,” a senior official said.

Top Agencies at Work

Teams from the NSG, NIA, and Delhi Police Special Cell, along with forensic experts, have reached the site and cordoned off the area for evidence collection. The NSG team includes explosive experts, while NIA officials with experience in terror-related investigations are examining the remnants of the vehicle and nearby debris.

Security Tightened Across Capital

Following the blast, security has been heightened across Delhi, particularly around tourist hubs, railway stations, and metro lines. Sniffer dogs and bomb disposal squads have been deployed at key locations, while traffic around the Red Fort area has been diverted.

Home Ministry Meeting Underway

The Union Home Ministry has convened a high-level emergency meeting to assess the situation. Senior officials from the Delhi Police, NIA, NSG, and IB are in attendance. Initial reports suggest that the nature of the explosive and the motive behind the attack are still being determined.