The Scene of the Blast
The explosion occurred just before 7 p.m. near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station—a spot that teems with commuters and tourists. A white Hyundai i20 car was at a red light when it suddenly exploded with a tremendous force, engulfing nearby vehicles and scattering debris over a 20-meter radius. The flames swallowed several cars, motorcycles, and e-rickshaws, leaving chaos and panic in their wake. Emergency responders rushed to the site, and those injured were taken to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital, with many in critical condition .
Current Scenario and Public Response
Delhi Police set up barricades and sealed off the area, while forensic and bomb squads launched a detailed site scan. The Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and surrounding markets like Chandni Chowk, witnessed early closures as a sense of fear and anxiety spread. Metro access at the affected gates was restricted as a precaution. NSG commandos and police continue to secure the site as investigations proceed under high alert conditions. City hospitals released helpline numbers to assist families looking for loved ones. Meanwhile, cities including Mumbai, Jaipur, and states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana were placed on high security alert to preempt any related threats .
Explosives and Modus Operand
Initial forensic analyses point to the use of ammonium nitrate—an accessible yet potent explosive—mixed with fuel oil as the primary agent. Interestingly, no shrapnel or traditional bomb wiring was found, leading investigators to suspect an unusual ignition mechanism involving volatile chemicals or vapors. This peculiar nature has complicated efforts to ascertain the exact triggers. The blast's timing and location, plus video footage suggesting occupants inside the car during detonation, have led authorities to consider whether it was a rare “fidayeen”-style (suicide) attack or an accidental trigger during transport .
People Involved: A White-Collar Terror Network
Authorities traced the Hyundai i20 to Dr. Mohammad Umar, a medical doctor from Pulwama, Kashmir, believed to have died in the blast. Intelligence agencies describe this as a “white-collar terror setup,” involving educated professionals like doctors who became operational members of a terror module. Investigations linked Umar’s network with the recent seizure of nearly 2,900 kilograms of explosives and bomb-making material (ammonium nitrate) in Faridabad, Haryana. Arrests and detentions are underway, including that of Dr. Shaheen Sayeed, who allegedly played a recruitment role. Connections extend across Jammu & Kashmir and Delhi NCR, highlighting a dangerous terrorist web operating under professional cover.
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Government and Agency Response
In the aftermath, the government has taken swift and decisive steps. Delhi Police, with assistance from National Investigative Agency (NIA), National Security Guard (NSG), and forensic teams, intensified the investigation with a full-scale forensic audit of the blast site. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was invoked, and an FIR was registered under anti-terrorism laws.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the situation closely, expressing condolences and directing all agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice expeditiously. Home Minister Amit Shah visited the blast site and met injured victims in hospitals, confirming a thorough probe is underway involving all security and intelligence agencies. A high-level meeting involving Union Home Secretary, Delhi Police Commissioner, and top officials coordinated the security response, leading to heightened alert measures across major metros, airports, and border states.
Medical teams at LNJP and nearby hospitals worked tirelessly, handling the injured while setting up helplines for victim families. Metro services adjusted operations with increased security at Red Fort stations, and local markets in nearby Chandni Chowk closed early to ease tensions.
Public messaging emphasized vigilance without panic, with the government urging citizens to report suspicious activity and cooperate with law enforcement.
Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue exploring various angles including motives—whether it was a deliberate terror attack or an accidental blast during transport of explosives. CCTV footage shows a masked man driving the vehicle prior to the explosion, and investigators question how such a vehicle entered sensitive areas undetected. The role of “white-collar” operatives with medical backgrounds raises concerns about radicalization within educated circles.
This event serves as a stark reminder that even heavily guarded and historic locations like the Red Fort remain vulnerable to modern terror tactics. Security agencies have vowed enhanced interagency cooperation, improved intelligence sharing, and proactive crackdown operations to dismantle terror networks and keep urban centers safe.
This multifaceted response by Indian authorities combines rapid security deployment, forensic expertise, political oversight, and public assurance, representing the nation’s resilience and determination to combat terror threats decisively. The search for truth and justice continues as Delhi recovers from this shocking episode .
