Delhi Red Fort Blast: Truth, Terror & Nation on Alert

What Happened in Delhi

On the evening of 10 November 2025, a powerful explosion ripped through a slow-moving white Hyundai i20 at a traffic signal near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station in the old Delhi area.

Witnesses speak of a massive fireball, burning vehicles, shattered windows in temples nearby (such as the Gauri Shankar and Jain temples) and the scene of chaos: human bodies lying on the road, smoke, the sound of the explosion ringing out.

The early official figures mentioned at least 8 dead and more than 20 injured, with some reports raising the death toll to 12 or 13 as more victims succumbed.

Here are some specific details uncovered so far:

• The explosion occurred around 6:52-7:00 pm IST.

• The car had been parked or stationary at a red light; police say the blast in the Hyundai i20 triggered fires in nearby vehicles — about 22 other vehicles were damaged or engulfed in flames.

• The registered owner of the car, a person from Gurgaon (Haryana) named Md Salman, was detained for questioning. Police are tracing the chain of sale and use of the vehicle.

• Investigation agencies are raising serious suspicion of a terror angle. The case is now being handled by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and anti-terror law (the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, UAPA) has been invoked.

• Important agencies like the National Security Guard (NSG), the FSL (Forensic Science Lab) teams, Delhi Crime Branch and Delhi Special Branch have been deployed at the site, CCTV footages are being reviewed thoroughly.

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Who Are Saying What? Political & Authority Reactions

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while abroad, expressed strong condemnation: “The conspirators behind this explosion will not be spared,” he said.

• Home Minister Amit Shah, reviewing the situation, said that every person involved “will face the full wrath of our agencies.” He also said the investigation would cover all possibilities and all CCTV footage will be checked.

• The Delhi Police registered an FIR at Kotwali Police Station under sections of UAPA (Sections 16, 18) and the Explosives Act (Sections 3 & 4).

• Local authorities shut down the Red Fort area temporarily, closed the Metro station at Lal Quila and imposed traffic curbs in Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk area.

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What Are Investigators Focusing On?

• One big question: What triggered such a violent explosion? Investigators note there was no obvious crater, no visible wires or detonator parts, which raises doubts about the device being a “classic bomb”. Some experts suspect a volatile chemical mix or fuel-vapor blast rather than a conventional IED.

• Another angle: Suicide attack or delivered device? Early probe hints the car may have been driven by a suspected bomber (identified in some reports as “Dr Umar Mohammad”) who died in the blast.

• Then: Is there a link to a larger terror module? Recent seizures of large quantities of explosives (≈ 2,900 kg), weapons including AK-47s in Faridabad and other locations are being probed for connection.

• The vehicle chain is being scrutinized: who bought it, from where, how long it was parked, where the occupants came from. For example, CCTV shows the car arriving at a parking spot near Sunehri Masjid around 3:19 pm and remaining until ~6:48 pm before moving.

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Cities & States on High Alert

This incident triggered a nationwide security ripple-effect. A partial list of heightened alerts:

• The Delhi-NCR region: all metro stations, airport (IGI), railway stations increased checks.

• Uttar Pradesh: Police across districts instructed to increase patrols, watch religious sites, railways, border areas.

• Haryana: State invoked high alert; citizens told to report suspicious objects/vehicles; police directed to be on watch.

• Maharashtra (Mumbai): High alert at major stations, metros, public places. Nagpur is also on high alert after the Delhi Red Fort blast. Security has been tightened around Deekshabhoomi, RSS headquarters (Mahal & Reshimbagh), and Nagpur Railway Station, with strict checks at city entry points and nearby explosive factories

• Gujarat: Especially Ahmedabad, other cities that have had past blasts, were told to intensify vigilance.

• Bihar, Punjab, and border states too have been instructed to keep closer watch on entry points, vehicles from outside states.

In short: The alert is pan-India, not just Delhi.

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Possible Outcomes & What Might Happen Next

Here are what experts and authorities are projecting as possible scenarios, and what we as citizens should expect:

• Terror Module Disruption or Uncovered Network: If this is confirmed as a terror-attack (suicide car bomb or otherwise), we may see a large crackdown — more arrests, searches in multiple states, link-ups to previous terror cells.

• Weapon/Explosive Cache Revealed: Given the mention of the 2,900 kg explosives seizure in Faridabad and link-investigations to white-collar modules of radicals (including doctors) — there could be further revelations about a bigger plot.

• Heightened Security & Public Inconvenience: The Red Fort area closure, metro/traffic curbs, heavy security presence will likely continue for days or weeks. Normal life may be impacted.

• Public Anxiety & Rumor Risk: With so much uncertainty, there’s a high risk of rumors, misinformation spreading. Authorities already caution against that.

• Policy / Security Strengthening: This incident may prompt governments to review urban vehicle-security, surveillance, parking near heritage/tourist zones, and inter-state intelligence sharing.

• Tourism / Economy Impact: The Red Fort area is a major heritage & tourist zone. Such an incident could affect footfall, local businesses around old Delhi.

• Diplomatic/External Relations: If foreign links (for instance to cross-border terror groups) surface, this could impact India’s external security and diplomatic posture.

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Who Could Be Behind It?

At this stage, concrete names and motivations are still being clarified, but some pointers:

• The suspect car is linked to Jammu & Kashmir region names: For example, one suspect arrested is Tariq Ahmad Malik, 44, earlier a bank security guard in Pulwama, who has been brought in for questioning.

• Reports mention a “doctor-terror” module: highly educated professionals (e.g., Dr Umar Mohammad) are named in media investigations, suggesting radicalized individuals inside professional careers.

• The group Jaish‑e‑Mohammed is named in some speculative reports as the module behind it. Investigators are looking into whether this car blast is part of a larger design.

• The motive could be to target a prominent heritage/ national symbol (Red Fort area) to maximize visual impact and fear, rather than just casualty count.

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Why This Matters — For Delhi & For All of Us

• The Red Fort zone is central: It’s a high-symbolic place (Independence Day speech, heritage structure, tourist hub). An attack here sends a message.

• Urban vehicle-bombing: Using a parked car in dense old city area shows vulnerabilities — cars registered, parked, blending in.

• Pathway to broader threats: If linked to an organized network, this could be a precursor to more strikes.

• The citizen’s role: Vigilance matters — suspicious vehicles, new registrations, unknown persons sitting long in parked cars, especially in crowded zones, should be reported.

• Government/civic coordination: Crowd management, emergency response, medical preparedness are being tested.

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What Can People Do?

• Stay calm. Panic fuels rumors.

• Avoid the area around Red Fort / Chandni Chowk until instructed. Use alternate routes if commuting.

• Report any unusual parked vehicle, unknown person loitering, suspicious bags, especially near heritage/tourist spots or crowded markets.

• If travelling by metro/rail/airport — follow airport/rail security advisories, arrive early, cooperate with extra checks.

• Stay updated via official channels — don’t spread unverified news on social media.

• For families: If you know someone in the area, check in on them; help elderly stay away from large crowds until things stabilize.

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Final Thoughts

This incident near the Red Fort is a painful reminder that even heavily populated urban zones and heritage sites are not immune to modern terror threats. But it is also a moment for Indian security apparatus and citizens alike to engage in deeper vigilance, coordination and resilience. The investigators are working round the clock, and the coming days could reveal more puzzle pieces — the “why”, the “who”, and the “how”. Until then, staying informed, staying alert, but not overtaken by fear is the best way forward.

As the investigation unfolds, more layers of this shocking incident are expected to surface. Authorities are on high alert, and citizens are urged to stay aware and cooperate with security protocols.

Stay connected with AS Wisdom for the latest verified updates, insights, and detailed analysis on this case and other important national events.

Your awareness is your first line of safety — stay informed, stay vigilant.