A devastating blast near Delhi’s iconic Red Fort on the evening of 10 November has killed at least 13 people and wounded 24, sparking a nationwide security alert and an intensive anti-terror investigation.
Key government officials have vowed a thorough probe, with the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting tomorrow to coordinate the response.
Initial findings suggest a vehicle-borne IED, possible suicide bombing, and links to recently uncovered terror modules in neighbouring Haryana. Security has been tightened across major Indian cities as the nation seeks answers and healing.
What Happened and Immediate Response
The explosion took place around 6:52 pm on Monday near the busy Red Fort Metro Station, shattering the evening calm in one of Delhi’s most historic and tourist-laden locations. The blast originated inside a white Hyundai i20 car at a traffic signal, gutting vehicles and scattering debris up to 100 metres.
Eyewitness videos and photos showed flames, smoke, and panicked crowds fleeing; authorities quickly moved to cordon off the area with bomb squads, forensic teams, and sniffer dogs combing the site overnight.
Within minutes of the detonation, Delhi Police and emergency responders had evacuated the injured—many with burns and lacerations-to city hospitals, with helpline numbers flashing across media channels for those seeking information.
Senior officials-including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and top police-visited the scene and hospitals, expressing condolences and ordering an all-out probe. “Top agencies are investigating with full intensity, and no angle will be ruled out.
The guilty will not be spared,” Amit Shah assured the public in his address, echoing the gravity of the incident.
The Red Fort itself, an enduring symbol of India’s sovereignty, has been closed to visitors for at least three days. Metro and road traffic remains strictly monitored across central Delhi, and a citywide high alert continues as a precaution.
Investigation Focus: Terror Links, Explosive Trail, and Forensics
As investigators pieced together the aftermath, fresh intelligence pointed to the involvement of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit. Forensic experts confirmed the presence of crude but high-yield explosives packed into the car, and authorities are now probing the likelihood that it was a ‘fidayeen’, or suicide attack.
DNA testing is underway to confirm the identity of a body found in the vehicle, suspected to be Dr. Mohammad Umar, believed to be a fugitive linked to the Faridabad terror module and possibly the mastermind.
Delhi Police’s Special Cell has traced the bomb car’s route meticulously, using citywide CCTV, and established it entered Delhi from Faridabad via the Badarpur border.
This is a significant lead, given that only hours before the blast, police in Haryana’s Faridabad seized around 2,900 kg of explosives-including 350 kg of ammonium nitrate-from two residential buildings. The materials were tracked following the arrest of Dr. Muzzamil Shakeel, and investigators suspect the two incidents are directly linked.
The i20’s complex chain of ownership-originating from Pulwama, moving through multiple hands and finally to suspected operative Umar-further points to a premeditated conspiracy rooted in cross-state terror activity.
At least two suspects have already been detained, and police forces in Delhi, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, and other regions have been put on the highest alert. Witness accounts recounted at least one masked man in the driver’s seat just before the explosion, lending credence to the suicide bombing theory.
Union Home Secretary Anuradha Mishra and Delhi Police leaders have vowed a sweeping probe under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Explosives Act, sharing evidence with the National Security Guard and National Investigation Agency.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on an overseas trip, condemned the attack, assuring the nation, “All those responsible will be brought to justice”.
Heightened Security and Political Reactions
Security measures have surged not just in Delhi but across metro systems, airports, religious sites, and key monuments like the Taj Mahal, where security personnel have stepped up patrols and screenings.
Embassies-including the US-have issued alerts to their citizens, and major urban centres in Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, and Punjab are also on red alert.
Political parties across the spectrum have condemned the attack, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar offering “heartfelt condolences” and demanding swift action.
Families of the deceased and injured shared anguish and unrest as hospitals worked overtime to care for victims-a picture of Delhi’s resilience in the face of adversity.
Meanwhile, efforts by forensic and anti-terror teams continue, with combing operations and evidence collection persisting around the blast site. Police have set up public helplines, urged citizens to share information, and pleaded that people refrain from circulating rumours.
The investigation is ongoing, and daily updates are expected as more details surface.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Red Fort blast is a chilling reminder of both the fragility and strength of our society. While violence seeks to divide and destroy, our collective compassion, resilience, and unity can shine brighter in the aftermath.
The Logical Indian condemns all acts of terror unequivocally, grieving with the families of the victims while saluting the courage of first responders and ordinary citizens who reached out to help.
