New Delhi: The Delhi Police detained the owner of a car in which an explosion occurred near the Red Fort on Monday evening, killing at least eight people and gutting several vehicles, an official said.
The police have detained the car’s owner, identified as Md Salman, in Haryana’s Gurugram. Salman had sold his car to a person in Okhla, the official said, adding that the car was registered in his name and had a Haryana registration number plate.
“Delhi Police along with Gurugram police detained Md Salman on Monday and is questioning him about the car. He had sold it to a person in Okhla named Devendra. Later, the vehicle was again sold to someone in Ambala and police are tracing the people,” a senior police officer said.
Nine people are confirmed dead and over 20 injured in a high-intensity blast that ripped through a slow-moving white Hyundai i20 car near the Red Fort on Monday evening, November 10, leaving multiple vehicles in flames and shattering window panes.
The nature of the explosion is not known yet. A team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) reached the spot. A high alert has been sounded in Delhi.
Confusion, anger at LNJP hospital
Confusion and grief marked the atmosphere, with relatives alleging lack of information and mismanagement. Many said they were not being allowed inside to check on the victims.
Sudheer Sharma, a resident of Rohtas Nagar in Shahdara, said his son Ankush Sharma was critically injured in the explosion, battling for his life in the ICU. “My son went to visit the Gauri Shankar temple with his friend Rahul Kaushik. While Rahul was sent home after stitches on his head, Ankush is fighting for his life,” he said, adding that his son worked at a jewellery shop.
Zeeshan Ansari, brother-in-law of Dawd who sustained injuries in the blast, said, “He called me after the incident. We rushed here immediately, but have not been allowed to see him till now.”
Mohammad Danish, cousin of Sameer Khan, an auto-rickshaw driver injured in the blast, said a stranger called him to inform him about the incident. “He is in the ICU. We still don’t know how bad his situation is,” Danish said.
Tahir Mohammad, a relative of Sameer, said, “The hospital staff is not allowing us to see him.”
At one point, an elderly man was seen pleading with police and hospital guards to let him inside to check on his son. He was finally allowed after a heated argument.
Some people said there was “complete mismanagement” at the hospital, with no clear communication as to where to go or which gate to enter. “We just want to know if our family members are alive,” one of them said.
Body parts scattered everywhere
Mangled bodies lying on vehicles and road, pieces of flesh scattered on the streets and flames rising up to the sky, recalled the eyewitnesses.
While I was standing and talking to someone, a body part… a hand, with the man’s shirt still on it, fell right behind me, Amit Mudgal (36) told PTI.
Recalling the terrifying moments following the explosion, he said, “About 20 minutes ago, the situation was unbelievable. There was a huge blast, and within seconds, the sky was covered in red smoke,” he said.
“Everyone was screaming and running for cover,” Mudgal recalled.
He said the impact was so severe that human remains were scattered across the street. “As I moved towards the fire, I helped several people get into ambulances.”
An injured eyewitness, who had a wound on his forehead, said the explosion appeared to have originated from a car parked nearby.
“I am an auto rickshaw driver. There was a car in front of my auto, most probably a Maruti Swift. I don’t know how it happened, but something in that car suddenly blasted,” he said.
Eyewitnesses said several vehicles were destroyed and glass panes of shops and even those at the nearby metro station were shattered.
“I was at the gurdwara when I heard a strong sound. We couldn’t make out what it was, it was that loud,” said another resident.
A shopkeeper said the tremors were powerful enough to shake entire buildings. “I had come here to buy something when I heard a huge blast. The whole shop trembled,” he said. “Several people were injured, and many were being taken away from the spot soon after.”
Manoj, who runs a pani puri stall near Jama Masjid, said he felt the intensity of the blast from over a kilometre away.
“I was having food when we suddenly felt the blast in our chests, it was massive,” he said. “I rushed here and saw people screaming, some lying motionless. There was an autorickshaw driver injured badly; he was taken to hospital.”
The area has been cordoned off.
Probing all angles: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said investigators are keeping all options open while probing the blast. “All angles are being probed by the investigators, and no possibility is ruled out,” he said after meeting some of the injured at the LNJP hospital here.
Asked whether it was a terrorist attack, Shah said, “It is difficult to say what caused the incident. Until the samples recovered from the blast site are analysed by forensics and NSG, we can’t say anything. But we are not ruling out anything and investigating all angles.”
The home minister said eight people lost their lives and several others were injured. Teams of the Delhi Police, NIA, NSG and forensics have started the probe, he said and hoped that the exact details of the blast would be unearthed soon.
“I will visit the blast site soon and will hold a high-level meeting tomorrow with top officials to analyse the explosion,” he said.
Chandni Chowk market to be closed on Tuesday
The Chandni Chowk market will be closed on Tuesday, the market association said. “The shops in Chandni Chowk will be closed on Tuesday as there is fear among traders after the blast,” said Sanjay Bhargaw, president of the Chandni Chowk Traders Association.
Bhargaw, whose shop is a few hundred metres from the blast site, said the explosion was so strong that their entire building shook. “There was chaos in the market as people started running,” he said.
Following the incident, several traders’ associations have sought increased security arrangements in crowded commercial areas.
The New Delhi Traders’ Association (NDTA) said several abandoned cars are parked in Connaught Place’s inner circle parking lots.
“The parking lots are full of illegal hawkers’ goods being used as storehouses. Pedestrian corridors are blocked by big stalls, leaving little room for movement or escape during emergencies. We have requested the NDMC enforcement wing and Delhi Police to take immediate action,” Atul Bhargav of the NDTA said.
Blast occurred in slow-moving car: Delhi Police chief
Talking to reporters at the blast site, Delhi Police commissioner Satish Golcha confirmed multiple deaths and injuries. “There was a blast around 6.52 pm in a slow-moving vehicle near Red Fort. There were passengers inside the vehicle,” the officer said, adding, other vehicles were damaged in the incident.
“Some deaths happened, few people got injured. The situation is being regularly monitored. The home minister is being regularly briefed,” he said.
Police sounded a high alert in Delhi. Seven fire tenders were rushed to the spot with police cordoning off the area, the Delhi Fire Services said.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the Delhi police chief and the director of the Intelligence Bureau to take stock of the situation.
Shah also directed the chiefs of the National Security Guard (NSG), National Investigation Agency (NIA) and forensic sciences to send expert teams to the blast site to assist the probe and collect evidence.
Mumbai, Hyderabad on high alert
A high alert has been issued in Maharashtra and a “precautionary alert” for Mumbai following the blast. “All the unit commanders at the district level in Maharashtra and commissioners of cities have been instructed to remain alert to avoid any untoward incidents”, a police official said.
Police are maintaining a strong vigil and stepped up security at important places and vital installations in the state and Mumbai, the official said.
The Hyderabad police are also on full alert. Several vehicles and lodges are being constantly checked, said Hyderabad city police commissioner VC Sajjanar. Citizens can inform the police control room on 100 about any suspicious movement.
Rajasthan Police sounded an alert to maintain heightened vigilance across the state following an explosion outside the Red Fort in Delhi.
DGP Rajeev Kumar Sharma directed maximum police deployment at railway stations, bus stands, shopping malls, religious places and other high-footfall areas in an advisory issued to all DCPs and SPs.
He also asked Bomb Disposal Squads (BDS) to remain on high alert.
A red alert has been sounded in Punjab
“In wake of the blast in New Delhi, a Red Alert has been sounded across all districts in the state of Punjab,” said a Punjab police department spokesperson.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered the police to remain on high alert and sought details of the incident from Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Krishna, an official statement said.
Krishna issued a series of instructions to district police chiefs, asking them to stay on the ground and personally supervise security at sensitive and crowded areas.
Quick Response Teams (QRT), Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), bomb disposal squads, and dog squads have been kept on standby, while foot patrol has been intensified, he said.
Police have been told to ensure strict checking of vehicles and keep a vigilant eye at metro stations, bus stands, railway stations, malls, and cinemas without causing inconvenience to the public, the DGP said in his directive.
Checks at metro stations tightened
Security has been stepped up in Gautam Buddh Nagar. Police teams are conducting checking drives at metro stations and crowded places, and have erected barricades at key locations to inspect suspicious vehicles.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Noida) Yamuna Prasad, along with police personnel, carried out foot patrols in Sector 62 and other crowded areas under the jurisdiction of the Sector 58 police station to review security arrangements.
Reports suggest the Hyundai i20 car had a Haryana registration.
Condolences pour in
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of those killed. “Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the blast in Delhi earlier this evening. May the injured recover at the earliest,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.
He added that those affected are being assisted by authorities and confirmed that he has reviewed the situation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other senior officials.
AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said the news was very disturbing and wished speedy recovery for the injured. “Very disturbed by the news of the #RedFort blast. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured and patience for those who lost their dear ones. I hope for a thorough and swift investigation. Those responsible for this condemnable act must receive the maximum punishment under the law,” his X post read.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the government must ensure a prompt and thorough investigation into the blast so that those responsible for this “lapse” are held accountable.
In a post on X, Kharge said, “Extremely distressing to hear about the news of a car explosion near Red Fort Metro Station, Delhi. Initial reports suggest that several precious lives have been lost in this incident. In this moment of grief, our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families, and we pray for the swift recovery of the injured.”
“The government must ensure a prompt and thorough investigation into this blast which has taken in a high security and often crowded place, so that those responsible for this lapse and incident are held accountable,” he added.
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has termed the car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station “extremely heartbreaking and concerning”.
“The report of the deaths of several innocent people in this tragic incident is profoundly sorrowful. In this hour of grief, I stand with the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones and express my deepest condolences to them. I hope for the swift recovery of all the injured,” his X post read.
AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also called the incident extremely heartbreaking. “May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the swift recovery of those injured,” she said in a post on X.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday expressed shock over the explosion in Delhi and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families. “Deeply saddened and shocked beyond words by the blast in the national capital. My thoughts and prayers for the bereaved families grieving for their beloved ones lost in this inhuman act. I pray for the recovery of all those injured,” read his post
Bharat Rashtra Samithi working president KT Rama Rao stated the incident was heartbreaking. “Shocked & deeply pained by the news of explosion at Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station. The report of deaths of several innocent people in this tragic incident is truly heartbreaking My condolences to the families of the victims and pray for quick recovery of those injured,” read his X post.
His sister and Telangana Jagruthi echoed the same sentiments, “Deeply shocked and saddened by the blast near Red Fort in Delhi. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayers for a speedy recovery of those injured,” her X post read.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav called for the strictest punishment for the culprits. “In matters of national security—be it Pulwama or Pahalgam—we have stood firmly with the government. Nothing is more important than the security and sovereignty of the country,” read his X post.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed deep shock over the explosion. “Deeply shocked to hear about the tragic blast in New Delhi. My heart goes out to the families who have lost their loved ones and I pray for strength and a swift recovery for all those injured,” she said in a post on X.
“Deeply saddened to learn about the loss of so many precious lives in the explosion near #RedFort. My thoughts and prayers are with the grieving families who lost their near and dear ones. Prayer for the swift recovery of those who have sustained injuries,” Naveen Patnaik, Leader of Opposition in Odisha assembly, said in a post on X.
“My heart goes out to the families who have lost their loved ones , no words can ease their pain. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured and hoping the cause of this tragedy is uncovered soon,” PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his grief. “Chief Minister has expressed deep shock over the blast in Delhi close to Red Fort, which has claimed several lives and left many injured. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured,” a post made from his X handle read.
Kashmiri doctor held with large ammunition in Faridabad
The blast comes hours after the recovery of around 360 kg of suspected ammonium nitrate and a cache of arms and ammunition from a Kashmiri doctor’s rented accommodation in Haryana’s Faridabad.
Haryana Police, in coordination with their Jammu and Kashmir counterparts, arrested Dr Muzammil from Faridabad’s Dhauj area and recovered explosive materials, weapons, and timers from his rented house.
The accused, a teacher at Al Falah University, was reportedly wanted in a case related to terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed in Srinagar.
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