Deadly Explosion Near Delhi's Red Fort Claims 9 Lives: Terror Attack Investigation Underway

Security measures have been strengthened throughout the national capital.

New Delhi:

A devastating explosion near Delhi's Red Fort on Monday evening claimed nine lives and injured 20 others. The detonation occurred at approximately 6:52 pm when a Hyundai i20 vehicle exploded while stopped at a traffic signal near the Red Fort Metro Station.

A recent video from the incident shows a vehicle consumed by flames while surrounding cars sustained severe damage. Law enforcement officers stationed at the Red Fort outpost immediately responded to assist victims trapped inside an overturned vehicle.

Witnesses reported experiencing a powerful shockwave that shook nearby residential structures. "A body was dismembered completely. I observed a severed hand on the roadway. The intensity of the explosion is beyond description," a witness told NDTV while standing near the Red Fort.

"The incident happened instantaneously. My impression was that the explosion involved multiple vehicles," another witness shared with NDTV.

Just prior to the explosion, authorities had confiscated 2,900 kg of explosives and flammable materials from two rented accommodations belonging to Muzammil Shakeel, a physician from Kashmir. Investigators have confirmed that ammonium nitrate was utilized in the explosion.

According to sources, the vehicle was registered to Umar Mohammad, a Pulwama resident from Jammu and Kashmir. Umar, who was operating the vehicle during the explosion, was reportedly a medical doctor with connections to the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) organization.

"Umar Mohammad and his collaborators employed Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO) to conduct the attack. They installed a detonation device in the vehicle and carried out the terrorist operation in a densely populated area near Red Fort," sources revealed.

Security has been intensified across the national capital, with police and the National Intelligence Agency conducting investigations into the explosion.