Terror Strikes Heart of Capital: 13 Dead in Red Fort Explosion
A massive explosion has devastated Delhi’s Red Fort area. The Delhi Red Fort blast killed 13 people on Monday evening, November 10, 2025. Over 20 others suffered injuries in the catastrophic attack.
The explosion tore through a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station. The time was approximately 6:52 PM. The vehicle stopped at a red light on Subhash Marg when it suddenly erupted into flames. The blast transformed a bustling intersection into a scene of devastation and chaos.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed the explosion details. The vehicle bore registration number HR26CE7674. It was white and a Hyundai i20 model. Shockwaves from the Delhi Red Fort blast rippled through the densely populated historic area. Thousands of commuters and tourists visit this location daily.
Eyewitnesses described horrifying scenes as flames engulfed nearby vehicles. The explosion possessed tremendous force. Windowpanes of surrounding buildings shattered instantly. Sound echoed across several hundred meters. Six cars got completely incinerated. Two e-rickshaws burned too. One autorickshaw caught fire as well. The inferno consumed multiple vehicles around the blast site.
Pulwama Doctor Emerges as Prime Suspect
Police investigators identified Dr. Mohammad Umar as the prime suspect. He was 36 years old. He came from Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir. They believe he occupied and drove the exploding vehicle.
Dr. Umar worked at Al Falah Medical College in Faridabad. Delhi Police sources confirm this. He maintained direct links to a sophisticated terror network. Intelligence agencies tracked his movements carefully.
The Delhi Red Fort blast appears to be a fidayeen-style attack. A suicide attack is what sources revealed. Dr. Umar detonated the explosives in a panic. His associates faced arrest just hours earlier. Dr. Mujammil Shakeel got detained. Dr. Adeel Rather was arrested too. A massive counter-terror operation led to their capture.
CCTV footage shows critical evidence. A masked man drove the white Hyundai i20. He entered the parking area near Red Fort around 3:19 PM. The vehicle remained parked for three hours. Then it moved toward the traffic signal. That’s where the explosion occurred.
Body parts and hand fragments came from the wreckage. Forensic teams collect every piece. DNA testing will confirm the suspect’s identity. Intelligence agencies believe Dr. Umar acted alone. His panic-driven decision triggered the blast. He learned about his associates’ arrests. The massive explosives cache seizure in Faridabad shocked him. This knowledge drove his final actions.
The Faridabad Terror Module Connection
The Delhi Red Fort blast links to a terror network. Authorities call it a “white-collar terror module.” It operated across multiple states. Just hours before the explosion, security forces struck.
Jammu and Kashmir Police coordinated with Haryana authorities. Uttar Pradesh officials joined the operation too. They targeted Pakistan-based groups Jaish-e-Mohammad and Ansar Ghazwatul Hind. The module maintained connections to both organizations.
Raids in Faridabad’s Dhauj village yielded massive discoveries. They recovered approximately 2,900 kilograms of explosive materials. The haul included 360 kilograms of ammonium nitrate. This fertilizer converts into a deadly explosive. Authorities also found weapons. An AK-47 rifle was among them. A Beretta pistol turned up too. An AK-56 rifle got recovered. Detonators and electronic circuits filled the premises. Timers, chemicals, and reagents sat ready. The stockpile shocked investigators.
Dr. Mujammil Shakeel rented the residential premises. He came from Pulwama too. He pursued studies at Al Falah University in Faridabad. The module operated for several months quietly. They moved explosives through high-security zones. Critical periods included Independence Day. Diwali posed another sensitive time. They moved materials during these peaks.
Forensic findings reveal explosive details. The Delhi Red Fort blast used ammonium nitrate. Fuel oil was mixed with it. Detonators triggered the explosion. Similar materials came from Faridabad. This direct connection proves involvement. Dr. Umar was an integral module member. No doubt remains about his participation.
“This evening, around 7 pm, a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi. The blast injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles. Preliminary reports indicate that some people have lost their lives.” — Union Home Minister Amit Shah
Swift Government Response and High-Level Meetings
Emergency response teams rushed to the scene immediately. Delhi Police arrived first. Crime Branch units followed them. The National Security Guard deployed rapidly. National Investigation Agency operatives went to the blast site. Seven fire tenders engaged the massive blaze. Firefighters brought the flames under control by 7:29 PM.
Home Minister Amit Shah visited the blast site personally. He met injured victims at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital. He briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about developments. The Prime Minister expressed deep condolences. He promised full government support. Affected families would receive assistance.
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha confirmed probe details. Multiple agencies initiated investigations immediately. The case falls under stringent provisions. The Unlawful Activities Prevention Act applies here. Sections 16 and 18 cover terrorism charges. Related punishments follow under this law. Additional charges came under the Explosives Act. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita covers murder charges. Attempt to murder charges apply too.
The Special Cell of Delhi Police took over. Anil Shukla leads this unit. He’s the Special Commissioner. He headed the 2019 Pulwama probe as well. This decision reflects the investigation’s gravity. Its complexity demands experienced hands.
Multiple States Placed on High Alert
The Delhi Red Fort blast triggered nationwide security response. States across India activated heightened alert status. Intensified patrolling began immediately. Vehicle checks increased everywhere. Surveillance at crowded public places expanded.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued orders. Police forces deployed extensively across major cities. Varanasi received additional officers. Noida got extra security personnel. Border districts saw increased patrols. Religious sites got special protection. Government buildings received enhanced security. Transport hubs witnessed tighter controls.
Haryana authorities intensified border monitoring. Areas bordering Delhi faced intense surveillance. Public sites received additional guards. Historical locations got special protection. Maharashtra activated emergency protocols. Bihar placed forces on alert. Punjab increased vigilance across the state. Kerala heightened security measures too. Chandigarh deployed additional personnel.
In Delhi itself, security increased dramatically. Indira Gandhi International Airport saw enhanced checks. All metro stations got guarded carefully. Railway terminals witnessed tighter protocols. Government installations faced increased surveillance. The Central Industrial Security Force monitored critical infrastructure closely. Bomb disposal squads remained deployed. Anti-terror units stayed vigilant throughout the city.
The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi warned citizens. They urged people to avoid Red Fort surroundings. Chandni Chowk required extra caution too. Citizens should monitor local media updates. Vigilance at tourist locations was essential.
Investigation Progress and Forensic Analysis
Investigators examined over 100 CCTV camera feeds. The vicinity of Red Fort provided footage. Nearby toll plazas contributed video evidence. Border checkpoints offered additional footage. They traced the suspect vehicle’s complete movement. The Hyundai i20 entered Delhi through Badarpur border. It then proceeded to the Red Fort area. Forensic teams collected extensive evidence. Vehicle remnants filled evidence bags. Explosive residue required laboratory analysis. Biological samples needed DNA testing.
Early analysis indicates high-intensity explosives. Maximum destruction in crowded areas was the goal. Delhi Police detained several individuals for questioning. Tariq from Pulwama attracted police interest. He allegedly purchased the vehicle. He transferred ownership to Dr. Umar. Five family members of Dr. Umar faced detention. His mother underwent interrogation. His brother answered questions from investigators. Authorities questioned them in Pulwama.
Multiple agencies coordinated the probe. Delhi Police led local operations. Jammu and Kashmir Police provided crucial inputs. The National Investigation Agency contributed expertise. The National Security Guard assisted investigations. The Intelligence Bureau shared crucial information. Haryana Police collaborated fully. Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad engaged actively. Gujarat Police offered support. Forensic science laboratories processed evidence. They worked in full coordination.
“Today, at around 6.52 pm, a slow-moving vehicle stopped at the red light. An explosion happened in that vehicle. Due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were damaged.” — Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha
Victims and Human Cost
The Delhi Red Fort blast devastated numerous families. Thirteen confirmed deaths mark the tragedy. Only two victims got officially identified. Ashok Kumar was 34 years old. He came from Amroha in Uttar Pradesh. Amar Kataria was 35 years old. He lived in Delhi.
Several victims remain unidentified still. Forensic teams work to establish identities. Twenty-one-year-old Shivam Jha suffered injuries. He was the youngest injured victim. He came from Usmanpur, Delhi. The casualty list includes diverse people. Delhi residents appear in the list. Uttar Pradesh natives are included. Himachal Pradesh residents suffered injuries. Uttarakhand people faced losses too. This reflects the area’s diverse population. Thousands frequent the historic Red Fort daily.
Lok Nayak Hospital received most injured persons. Medical teams provided intensive care. Several victims remained in critical condition. Doctors expressed concern about injury severity. The high-intensity explosion caused massive trauma. Recovery efforts continued around the clock.
Security Implications and Future Preparedness
The Delhi Red Fort blast exposed critical vulnerabilities. India’s security apparatus faced tough questions. Terror operatives moved nearly three tonnes of explosives. Multiple states failed to detect the materials. High-security periods presented no barriers. This raises serious security concerns.
Security experts demand enhanced vehicle scanning. All major toll booths require upgrades. Border checkpoints need better equipment. The “white-collar” nature shocked observers. Educated professionals joined the terror module. Doctors participated in the conspiracy. This highlights evolving recruitment patterns. Counter-intelligence strategies demand sophistication.
Financial trails require urgent investigation. Moving explosives involved significant funding. Storing materials cost considerable money. No alerts emerged from financial systems. This represents a critical gap. Money routing happened through front organizations. Charitable entities posed as fronts. Academic institutions provided cover apparently. Encrypted communication platforms enabled coordination. Detection systems missed these patterns.
Authorities review educational protocols urgently. Institutions with sensitive-region students need scrutiny. Al Falah Medical College required investigation. Terror operatives worked from its premises. They operated near Delhi’s National Capital Region. Months passed without detection. This underscores serious surveillance gaps. Urgent fixes remain essential.
National Unity in Face of Terror
The Delhi Red Fort blast galvanized national resolve. Terrorism faces unified opposition. Political leaders across parties condemned the attack. All expressed solidarity with victims’ families. Condolence messages poured in. Support came from around the globe. The world watched India’s response closely.
Prime Minister Modi assured swift justice. Those responsible would face the law. Home Minister Shah vowed thorough investigation. Every angle would get explored carefully. Regular updates would reach the public. Transparency guided government communications.
Delhi’s emergency response teams demonstrated preparedness. They brought situations under control within minutes. Security forces showed remarkable coordination. Their efficiency prevented greater losses. Yet constant vigilance remains absolutely essential. The incident delivers a stark reminder. Ongoing threats persist in the nation. India remains unwavering in its commitment. Combating terrorism drives national policy. All forms of violence face firm opposition.
As investigations continue, authorities urge calm. Citizens should avoid spreading rumors. Social media misinformation must stop. Public cooperation with security arrangements helps. The Delhi Red Fort blast stands as a tragic reminder. It signals ongoing threats to national security. It also demonstrates India’s resilience. Combined, these realities define the moment.
