Red Fort blast: Slow-moving vehicle stopped at red light, then exploded

A powerful explosion near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening has left at least 10 people dead and over 30 others critically injured, sending shockwaves across the national capital. The blast occurred around 6:52 pm when a slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light, triggering an explosion that damaged multiple nearby vehicles, according to Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha.

Emergency services swiftly reached the scene, with fire tenders, ambulances, and police personnel working to control the situation. All the injured victims have been admitted to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital, where the condition of three remains extremely critical, hospital sources confirmed.

Commissioner Golcha stated that agencies, including the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) are conducting an on-site investigation to determine the cause of the explosion. The area has been completely cordoned off, and forensic teams are examining the remains of the vehicle for traces of explosives.

Also Read: 10 dead, over 30 injured in massive explosion near Delhi's iconic Red Fort

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken stock of the situation and spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for updates, according to government sources. Following the blast, Home Minister Amit Shah held an urgent conversation with the Delhi Police Commissioner, while teams from the National Security Guard (NSG), NIA, and the forensic department were immediately dispatched to the scene.

The Home Minister is in constant touch with the Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director, monitoring developments closely. Authorities have heightened security across Delhi and NCR, as investigations continue to ascertain whether the explosion was accidental or part of a larger plot.