Delhi Red Fort Explosion: Bihar Heightens Security Ahead of Crucial Assembly Polls

Bihar has been placed on high alert following a devastating explosion near Delhi's Red Fort that claimed nine lives and left more than 20 injured. Security measures, already enhanced for the upcoming final phase of assembly elections on November 11, have been further strengthened across the state.

Director General of Police Vinay Kumar announced, "A high-security alert has been issued throughout Bihar in response to the Red Fort explosion. All district police forces and various divisions of the Bihar Police have received instructions to maintain heightened vigilance and conduct intensive patrolling and search operations to prevent any potential threats from anti-national elements."

The explosion occurred in a Hyundai i20 near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station at approximately 6:52 pm on Monday evening. Eight individuals lost their lives while twenty others sustained injuries in the blast.

Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha reported, "The explosion happened in a vehicle moving slowly before stopping at the Red Fort traffic signal. The car had occupants inside, and the blast caused damage to nearby vehicles as well."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that investigators are exploring "all angles" of the incident. "Teams from Delhi Crime Branch and Special Branch arrived at the location within 10 minutes of receiving notification. NSG and NIA teams, along with forensic specialists, have commenced a comprehensive investigation, with directives to examine all CCTV footage in the vicinity," he stated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received briefings on the situation from Home Minister Amit Shah, who continues to get updates from the Delhi Police Commissioner, National Investigation Agency, and Intelligence Bureau.

In the aftermath of the explosion, major urban centers including Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Haryana, Punjab, Hyderabad, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand have also been placed under high alert status.

The incident occurs just before voting begins in 122 constituencies for the second phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025. The first phase, which took place on November 6, saw a record 64.7 percent voter turnout—the highest in the state's assembly election history.

Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav responded to the incident on social media platform X: "I have learned of the tragic car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort. Such an incident in our nation's capital is both alarming and deeply concerning. I extend my heartfelt condolences to families who have lost innocent loved ones in this devastating event, and I pray for the swift recovery of all injured individuals. On matters of national security, whether Pulwama or Pahalgam, we have always stood with the government. Nothing surpasses the importance of our country's security and sovereignty."