New Delhi, November 10, 2025 – A powerful explosion in a parked car near Gate No. 1 of the Lal Qila (Red Fort) Metro Station triggered chaos in the heart of the national capital on Monday evening, killing at least eight people and injuring 12 others. The blast, which occurred around 6:55 PM, also ignited fires in three to four nearby vehicles, causing extensive damage and sending shockwaves through the densely crowded area close to the iconic Gauri Shankar Mandir.
According to the Delhi Fire Services (DFS), the emergency call was received at approximately 7:00 PM, prompting the immediate dispatch of seven fire tenders and 15 ambulances to the scene. Firefighters worked swiftly to douse the flames engulfing the vehicles, but not before the incident escalated into a major security concern. Eyewitnesses described a deafening boom followed by thick black smoke and panic-stricken crowds fleeing the high-security zone opposite the historic Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site and symbol of India’s independence.
“We saw flames shooting up from the street and heard a massive explosion that shook nearby buildings,” said local resident Rajdhar Pandey, who rushed to the spot from his home. “People were screaming and running; it was terrifying.” Videos circulating on social media captured the pandemonium, showing charred vehicle wreckage and emergency responders cordoning off the area.
Multiple bodies were rushed to the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, where officials confirmed eight fatalities upon arrival, including three in critical condition. The injured, comprising commuters and passersby, are receiving treatment for burns, shrapnel wounds, and smoke inhalation. Forensic teams and bomb disposal squads from the Delhi Police Special Cell arrived promptly, alongside National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guard (NSG) units, to probe the cause. Preliminary investigations suggest the explosion may be linked to an improvised explosive device (IED), though authorities have not ruled out other possibilities like a mechanical failure or sabotage.
The incident comes just hours after Delhi Police dismantled an interstate terror module, seizing over 2,900 kilograms of ammonium nitrate—a key ingredient in explosives—from suspects tied to banned organizations. Sources indicated the group had plans to deploy hundreds of IEDs across the city, heightening fears of a coordinated attack.
In response, Delhi Police has imposed a high alert across the capital, restricting entry and exit at Gates 1 and 4 of the Lal Qila Metro Station while maintaining normal operations elsewhere. Similar security ramps-ups are underway in Mumbai and Varanasi, with vehicle checks, checkpoints, and surveillance intensified at key installations. Uttar Pradesh authorities have also declared a statewide alert.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office expressed condolences, and Home Minister Amit Shah is reportedly chairing an emergency meeting to review the situation. As investigations continue, the blast serves as a stark reminder of Delhi’s vulnerability amid rising urban threats, with calls growing for enhanced intelligence-sharing and public vigilance.
Updates on casualties and the probe are expected as the night progresses. Delhi residents are urged to avoid the area and report suspicious activity to emergency lines (100 for police, 101 for fire).
