The explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening that killed eight people and injured 24 others is now being treated as a possible terror attack, News18 reported. Delhi Police have detained one suspect and are probing whether an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was used in the blast.
The explosion, which took place inside a car parked near Gate Number 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station, sent shockwaves through the national capital. The impact of the blast was so powerful that it set nearby vehicles on fire and caused significant damage in the crowded area. Officials from the Delhi Police Special Cell and anti-terror units immediately sealed off the site as teams from the National Security Guard (NSG) and forensic experts joined the investigation.
Sources said the intensity of the explosion and the pattern of the debris suggest the possible use of a timer-based or remote-controlled explosive device, though official confirmation is still awaited. “One suspect is currently being questioned by the Delhi Police. Preliminary indications point towards a planned attack,” an officer familiar with the probe told reporters.
The incident has triggered a nationwide security alert. Mumbai, Delhi, and other major cities have strengthened security at metro stations, airports, and crowded areas. In Maharashtra, police have increased patrolling and set up additional checkpoints at major transport hubs. Uttar Pradesh has also issued statewide instructions for enhanced surveillance, particularly in sensitive districts bordering Delhi.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer A.K. Malik said that seven fire engines were rushed to the scene shortly after 7 pm, and the fire was brought under control by 7:29 pm. However, by then, three to four vehicles had already been gutted. Several of the injured were taken to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital, where eight people were declared dead on arrival. Three victims remain in critical condition.