Mumbai and several other major cities have been placed on high alert after a deadly explosion near the Red Fort in Delhi on Monday evening left eight people dead and at least 24 others injured.
The powerful blast occurred inside a car parked near the Red Fort Metro Station, close to Gate Number 1, causing panic in the area and severe damage to nearby vehicles. Security agencies have begun tightening surveillance at key public locations in Mumbai and other metros to prevent any possible follow-up incidents.
According to a report by NDTV, security arrangements across Maharashtra have been intensified, with increased police patrolling at railway stations, airports, and crowded markets. Similarly, in Uttar Pradesh, all districts have been placed under heightened vigilance, and orders from Lucknow have instructed local police units to step up patrols, especially in sensitive zones.
According to Deputy Chief Fire Officer A.K. Malik, the first report of the explosion came around 7 pm, following which seven fire engines rushed to the scene. “At 7:29 pm, the fire was brought under control,” he said. However, by then, three to four nearby vehicles had already been badly damaged. Several injured victims were taken to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital, where eight people were declared dead on arrival. Hospital authorities said three patients were in critical condition.
Videos from the site showed charred vehicles, shattered glass, and heavy smoke rising from the area. Witnesses described hearing a loud explosion followed by chaos, with people running for safety as a massive fireball lit up the evening sky.
The Delhi Police Special Cell, along with the anti-terror squad and forensic teams, has cordoned off the blast site. Sniffer dogs and bomb disposal squads have been deployed to rule out the presence of more explosives. Senior police officers and CRPF officials have visited the area, though the cause of the explosion remains unclear. Investigations are underway to determine whether the blast was an accident or a planned act of terror.