A massive explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening killed eight people and left more than 20 others injured. The blast occurred inside a Hyundai i20 car, carrying three people, near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station around 6:52 pm.
The car blew up, triggering a fire that engulfed nearby vehicles. Eyewitnesses said the blast was so powerful that street lights went off and flames leapt several feet high. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. Teams from the NSG and forensic labs have collected samples from the blast site.
Key developments in the Red Fort blast case:
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Teams from the NSG and forensic labs have collected samples from the blast site. Investigators are analysing chemical residues to determine the nature of the explosive chemicals such as nitrates or TNT to determine the exact cause of the explosion.
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Initial forensic findings indicate that the explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort was likely not caused by a shrapnel-based Improvised Explosive Device (IED), as no metal fragments, nails, ball bearings, or wires were recovered from the site. Experts suggest the blast could have been mechanical or chemical in nature rather than a high-temperature explosive. Forensic teams are now examining debris for traces of explosives.
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Investigators have traced the car that exploded near Delhi’s Red Fort to a man named Tariq, a resident of Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir. The vehicle was originally owned by Md Salman, who had sold it but not completed the official transfer of ownership — the registration certificate still bears his name. Police records show the same car was fined for wrong parking in Faridabad on September 20, 2025.
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Following the blast, Northern Railway, CISF, and Delhi Police imposed strict security measures at all major transport hubs including New Delhi, Old Delhi, Nizamuddin, Anand Vihar, and Ghaziabad stations. Dog squads, CCTV surveillance, and baggage checks have been intensified.
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Following the blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, the Chandni Chowk market will remain closed on Tuesday, said Sanjay Bhargawa, president of the market association.
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