In the shadow of one of India’s most iconic landmarks, the Red Fort – a symbol of resilience and history – chaos erupted on the evening of November 10, 2025. What began as a routine traffic signal in the bustling heart of Old Delhi turned into a nightmare of fire, screams, and unimaginable loss. A powerful explosion ripped through a parked car near the Red Fort Metro Station, claiming lives, injuring dozens, and sending shockwaves across the nation. As investigations unfold, questions swirl: Was this a terrorist attack? Who was behind the wheel? And how did a city on high alert let this happen? In this detailed breakdown, we sift through the facts, official responses, and the human toll of this harrowing event.
The Blast: A Fiery Inferno at Rush Hour
The incident unfolded at precisely 6:52 p.m. IST on Netaji Subhash Marg, near Gate 1 of the Lal Qila (Red Fort) Metro Station in Chandni Chowk – a densely populated artery of commerce and culture. Eyewitnesses described a deafening boom that echoed for hundreds of meters, shattering windowpanes in nearby shops, including a Jain temple, and igniting a blaze that engulfed the surrounding area.
At the epicenter was a white Hyundai i20 hatchback with a Haryana registration plate(HR-26-CE-7674). The vehicle, described as “slow-moving” by officials, had pulled up at a red light when the explosion detonated. CCTV footage captured the car lingering in a nearby parking area adjacent to the historic Sunehri Masjid from around 3:19 p.m., before being driven out just minutes before the blast. The force was so intense that it completely gutted the Hyundai, hurling debris and triggering secondary fires in atleast six other cars, two e-rickshaws, and one auto-rickshaw. The Lajpat Rai Market nearby caught flames, with visuals showing mangled metal, bloodied roads, and panicked crowds fleeing the scene.
Initial probes suggest the blast may have been a car bombing, possibly a “fidayeen” (suicide) style attack, with ammonium nitrate traces detected at the site – a chemical linked to high-impact improvised explosives. No crater or RDX shrapnel was found, adding layers of mystery to the forensics. The Delhi Fire Services responded swiftly, dispatching seven tenders after frantic calls between 6:50 p.m. and 7:05 p.m., extinguishing the blaze by 7:29 p.m. The area was immediately cordoned off, and the metro station shut down for security sweeps.
The Human Cost: Lives Lost in a Blink
As of this morning, November 11, the death toll stands at a heartbreaking 13, up from initial reports of 8-10. Over 30 people were injured, with many in critical condition at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital. Among the identified victims are six locals treated at LNJP, including two friends from Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha – Ashok Kumar and Lokesh Agarwal – who had reunited after years, only to meet a tragic end at the signal. Families at the hospital have voiced frustration over delays in information and alleged mismanagement, turning grief into outrage.
The occupant of the Hyundai i20 is believed to be Dr. Umar Mohammad, a Pulwama-based doctor from Jammu and Kashmir, whose charred remains yielded DNA samples for confirmation. Umar, who studied at Government Medical College Srinagar and worked as an Assistant Professor at Alfalah College in Faridabad, was allegedly panicked after arrests in a related terror module. His story – a “white-collar” professional turned suspect – underscores the chilling infiltration of radical networks into everyday lives.
Police on the Hunt: A Multi-Agency Manhunt Under Terror Laws
Delhi Police wasted no time, registering an FIR at Kotwali station under Sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) provisions for murder and conspiracy. Commissioner Satish Golcha addressed the press late last night: “A slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light; an explosion happened in that vehicle, damaging nearby ones. All agencies – FSL, NIA, NSG – are on the ground. Exact casualty figures will be updated soon.”
The probe has exploded (pun unintended) with leads: The car’s ownership trail leads from the original owner, Md. Salman (detained in Gurugram) through multiple sales to Umar. Four others are in custody, including a contact in Pulwama. Raids swept Faridabad overnight, tying the blast to a “transnational terror module” busted earlier that day – over 2,900 kg of bomb making material (including 358 kg ammonium nitrate), timers, rifles, and ammo seized from homes rented by fellow doctors Dr. Mujammil Shakeel and Dr. Adil Rather. Links to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind are under scrutiny, with handlers allegedly in Pakistan.
Amit Shah, Union Home Minister, visited the site and LNJP Hospital, chairing a high-level review with IB Director, NIA DG, and J&K DGP. “The explosion happened in a slow-moving Hyundai i20. All possibilities are being explored – terror or otherwise. A thorough investigation is underway; no stone unturned,” Shah stated, emphasizing CCTV analysis and forensic reports on explosives. Delhi is on red alert, with 75 surveillance drones deployed and checks intensified at airports, railways, and borders. Several states – UP, Bihar, Uttarakhand – mirrored the vigilance.
Voices from the Top: Politicians Unite in Condemnation
The blast transcended party lines, drawing a chorus of grief and resolve. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reviewing the situation with Shah, tweeted his “deepest condolences” to the families and prayers for the injured.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called it “extremely painful and disturbing,” vowing at the Delhi Defence Dialogue: “Those responsible will face the harshest punishment. The nation will not be spared under any circumstances.”
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta labeled it “distressing and alarming,” visiting LNJP with Education Minister Ashish Sood and urging calm amid rumors. From Yogi Adityanath (UP) directing high alerts to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s fierce condemnation of the “heinous bomb blast,” leaders echoed solidarity.
Opposition voices were equally vehement. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge deemed it “deeply disturbing” in a high-security zone, demanding accountability. Rahul Gandhi called it “heartbreaking and concerning,” while AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal (former CM) urged probing “conspiracies.” Even international condolences poured in from the US, UK, and EU, with travel advisories issued.
Latest Updates: As the Dust Settles…
By midday November 11, Chandni Chowk markets shuttered amid trader fears, and the death toll ticked to 13 per Delhi Police confirmation. Forensic teams await explosive reports, while NIA/NSG comb the site. Misinformation – such as a fake image of a Beirut fireball – was debunked by PIB. On X (formerly Twitter), reactions ranged from raw grief (“Deeply saddened… prayers for strength” – @AhirWarriors) to pointed questions (“If not terror, what was it?” – @Intl_Politics_). Hashtags like #RedFortBlast trended, blending condolences with calls for justice.
Security has spiked nationwide: Temples like Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir and Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath are under guard; alerts in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Srinagar. As Shah’s meeting wraps, expect more arrests – the Faridabad module’s interrogations could crack this wide open.
A Nation’s Resolve Amid the Rubble
The Red Fort has witnessed invasions, independence speeches, and now this – a stark reminder of vulnerabilities in our vibrant chaos. Thirteen lives snuffed out, families shattered, a city scarred. Yet, in the outpouring of unity from Modi’s cabinet to Vijayan’s condemnation, there’s a thread of defiance: We will not cower.
This isn’t just a blast; it’s a call to action. For the investigators racing against time, for leaders bridging divides, and for us – to stay vigilant, reject rumors, and honor the lost by building safer tomorrows. Delhi weeps today, but it will rise. As always.
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