New Delhi: In one of the deadliest attacks witnessed in the national capital in recent years, a powerful car explosion near Delhi’s historic Red Fort on Monday evening claimed at least 13 lives and left 20 others injured, sending shockwaves across the nation. Authorities have invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), treating the incident as an act of terrorism, after preliminary investigations revealed possible links to a “white collar” terror module busted by police teams in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana over the past week.
The blast, which occurred around 7 p.m. near a traffic signal close to the 17th-century Mughal-era monument, ripped through a Hyundai i20 car, reducing it to twisted metal and igniting a massive fire that engulfed nearby vehicles. The Red Fort area, one of Delhi’s busiest and most crowded zones adjoining Chandni Chowk, was instantly turned into a scene of chaos and devastation. Mangled bodies lay on the street as security forces and forensic teams rushed to cordon off the area.
‘Conspirators Will Not Be Spared’: PM Modi Vows Justice
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Bhutan at the time of the incident, expressed deep grief and anger over the tragedy, saying he was “making the visit with a heavy heart.”
“The horrific incident that took place in Delhi has deeply saddened everyone. The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice,” Modi said, adding that he had been in touch with investigation agencies through the night.
Explosives Suspected to Contain Ammonium Nitrate
Early forensic findings suggest that ammonium nitrate, a common fertilizer chemical also used in bomb-making, might have been used in the explosion. Investigators have recovered debris of detonators and fuel residue from the wreckage, confirming suspicions of a sophisticated explosive device.
Sources told Al Jazeera and ANI that the car belonged to Dr. Umar Mohammad, a medical professional from Pulwama, South Kashmir, who was allegedly part of a radicalised terror network uncovered in a recent operation. Investigators believe Umar may have triggered the blast after two of his associates, Dr. Mujammil Shakeel and Dr. Adil Rather, were arrested last week, and nearly 2,900 kg of suspected explosives were seized from their rented houses in Haryana’s Faridabad.
Officials now believe the explosion was not accidental but a deliberate act of terror, possibly a suicide mission, carried out after the module’s plans were compromised by police raids.
Links to J&K–Haryana ‘White Collar’ Module
According to intelligence sources, the terror module, dubbed the “white collar network”, was made up of radicalised professionals, including doctors and engineers, allegedly operating under handlers based in Pakistan and the Middle East. These individuals were engaged in a range of subversive activities, from transporting arms to distributing propaganda materials.
The network came under police radar about 26 days ago during a joint operation by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and Haryana Police, which led to the seizure of a staggering quantity of explosives.
On Sunday, police recovered 350 kg of explosives, 20 timers, assault rifles, handguns, and live ammunition from a rented house in Dhoj village, Faridabad, occupied by Dr. Shakeel. Another raid in Fatehpur Taga, just four kilometers away, yielded 2,563 kg of suspected bomb-making material, believed to be ammonium nitrate.
Both houses had been rented under fake identities. Police now suspect that the explosives were meant for a large-scale coordinated terror strike in Delhi or neighboring states.
Sequence of Events: From Faridabad Raids to the Red Fort Blast
The explosion took place barely hours after the Haryana and J&K Police concluded their major recovery operations in Faridabad. Officials believe the Delhi blast may have been an act of panic or retaliation, following the arrests of Shakeel and Rather.
Preliminary reports indicate that the Hyundai i20, registered in Dr. Umar’s name, had changed hands multiple times, first to a man named Aamir, then to Tariq, and finally back to Umar. Investigators are now probing if the car had been rigged as a mobile improvised explosive device (IED) that detonated prematurely while en route to a larger target in central Delhi.
Multi-Agency Investigation Launched
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), Delhi Police Special Cell, Intelligence Bureau (IB), National Security Guard (NSG), Jammu & Kashmir Police, and Haryana Police have launched a joint multi-agency probe. Teams from the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) and Gujarat Police have also been roped in.
Officials are currently analyzing CCTV footage from Red Fort, Daryaganj, and Jama Masjid areas to trace the car’s movement before the explosion. Forensic teams have collected samples of residue and shrapnel for chemical analysis.
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha briefed reporters, saying:
“A slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light, and an explosion occurred inside it. Nearby vehicles caught fire due to the impact. Multiple agencies are working in coordination, and we are investigating every possible angle.”
Security Tightened Across India
Following the explosion, Delhi and major Indian cities have been placed on high alert. Security checks have been intensified at railway stations, metro stations, and airports, particularly in Mumbai, Lucknow, and Varanasi.
The Red Fort has been closed to visitors for the next three days as a precautionary measure. The historic site, a UNESCO World Heritage monument, has long been a symbol of India’s sovereignty and is the traditional venue for the Prime Minister’s Independence Day address.
Officials Examine Cross-Border Angle
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who chaired a high-level security review meeting early Tuesday, confirmed that “no possibility is being ruled out.” He said agencies are investigating cross-border involvement, given the Pulwama connection and the module’s alleged communication with handlers across the Line of Control (LoC).
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act meant to disturb peace and unity.” He assured that “the culprits will be brought to justice through a thorough and transparent investigation.”
Scenes of Horror and Grief
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying sight moments after the blast. Flames rose into the night sky as vehicles burned, and bystanders screamed for help. Ambulances and fire brigades took nearly 20 minutes to reach the congested area, locals said.
“I saw people lying on the ground. The car was on fire, and the heat was unbearable,” said Mohammad Aslam, a shopkeeper near the Red Fort. “We thought it was a gas cylinder blast, but the explosion was too powerful for that.”
Among the dead was Dinesh Misra, a 42-year-old tourist from Varanasi, whose son was seen mourning outside the LNJP Hospital morgue.
Political leaders across party lines have condemned the attack. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called it “a dark day for the nation” and urged unity in the face of terror.
“We must not let such forces divide us. Delhi stands united against terrorism,” he said.
Opposition leaders have demanded a parliamentary briefing on the blast and sought enhanced intelligence coordination to prevent such incidents in the future.
As of Tuesday afternoon, forensic teams are still working at the site, collecting evidence. A final report from the NIA and Delhi Police is expected within 48 hours. The government has announced ₹10 lakh compensation for the families of those killed and ₹2 lakh for the injured.
With the investigation expanding across multiple states and agencies, officials remain cautious but resolute; as Home Minister Shah stated, “We will get to the bottom of this. Justice will be swift and uncompromising.”
