On the evening of Monday, November 10, 2025, a devastating explosion shook the vicinity of Delhi’s iconic Red Fort, resulting in the tragic loss of at least eight lives and injuring several others. The blast took place around 6:50 pm near the Red Fort, specifically at the Subhash Marg traffic signal close to the Lal Quila metro station. The incident caused widespread panic across the national capital, with emergency services swiftly responding to the scene.
According to official reports, the explosion originated from a Hyundai i20 car that was moving at the time of the blast. There were reportedly two or three people inside the vehicle when it suddenly caught fire and exploded. The force of the explosion was so intense that it shattered the windows of vehicles parked meters away and was audible as far as the ITO area, several kilometers from the site of the blast. The explosion also caused damage to nearby vehicles and injured some pedestrians in the vicinity.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah provided detailed updates on the incident shortly after it occurred. He confirmed that the explosion took place at around 7 pm near the Red Fort and highlighted the loss of life and injuries sustained by bystanders. Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, Shah said that teams from various investigative and security agencies were immediately deployed to the site. Within ten minutes of receiving information about the blast, personnel from the Delhi Crime Branch and Delhi Special Branch arrived to begin initial assessments. Subsequently, specialized units including the National Security Guard (NSG), the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and forensic teams from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) were called in to carry out a meticulous and comprehensive investigation.
The Home Minister assured the public that all investigative agencies were exploring every possible lead and angle to determine the cause and circumstances of the explosion. He mentioned that orders had been issued to examine all nearby CCTV cameras to gather crucial evidence. Amit Shah also spoke personally with the Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha and the Special Branch in-charge, both of whom were present at the site to oversee the investigation. He pledged that the authorities would leave no stone unturned and that the results of the investigation would be transparently shared with the public.
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha, speaking to the media outside the Red Fort, confirmed that the blast took place in a moving vehicle and that investigative teams were verifying all facts related to the incident. He described the situation as serious and emphasized the ongoing efforts to piece together the sequence of events that led to the explosion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was promptly briefed about the blast by senior officials. According to government sources, the Prime Minister held direct communication with Home Minister Amit Shah to receive updates and to assess the situation personally. The incident has heightened security concerns in the capital, leading to a high alert being declared across Delhi to prevent any further escalation or related threats.
Emergency services responded robustly to the crisis. Seven fire tenders were dispatched to the scene to extinguish the fire and manage the aftermath of the blast. The injured were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care. The authorities have been working tirelessly to ensure the safety of citizens and to control the situation in the immediate aftermath of the explosion.
The blast near the Red Fort has not only caused tragic loss of life and injury but also raised serious questions about security around one of India’s most historic and sensitive landmarks. The Red Fort is not only a symbol of India’s rich cultural heritage but also a site of national importance that attracts thousands of visitors daily. The explosion has thus sent shockwaves through the city and the nation, prompting intense scrutiny of existing security protocols.
Mahender Singh Manral, an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express, has been closely following the developments. Manral is a seasoned journalist known for his in-depth reporting on internal security, investigative agencies, and law enforcement. With extensive experience covering crime and anti-corruption branches in Delhi, Manral brings a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in such incidents. His reporting highlights the significance of the investigation and the broader implications for national security.
This incident underscores the persistent challenges faced by security agencies in safeguarding public spaces and critical infrastructure in major cities. It also highlights the importance of rapid response and coordination among various branches of law enforcement and emergency services in managing crises effectively. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the motive behind the blast, the identity of the individuals involved, and whether it was an act of terrorism or a different form of criminal activity.
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