Delhi Red Fort Blast: India Invokes Anti-Terror Law After 13 Killed in Shocking Attack”
Delhi Red Fort Blast: India Invokes Anti-Terror Law After 13 Killed in Shocking Attack
New Delhi was shaken to its core on Monday night when a deadly explosion erupted near the iconic Red Fort, killing at least 13 people and injuring more than 20 others. The incident, which occurred close to a metro station near one of India’s most visited heritage sites, sent shockwaves across the country and prompted immediate action from national security agencies. Police have invoked India’s stringent anti-terror law, signaling the gravity of the situation and the likelihood of a coordinated attack.
Authorities say the blast originated from a Hyundai i20 car that was moving slowly before stopping at a red light, moments before it exploded. The impact was catastrophic — nearby vehicles caught fire, streetlights melted, and panic rippled through one of the busiest areas in Old Delhi. As witnesses described scenes of chaos and horror, investigators began piecing together what appears to be one of the capital’s most serious security breaches in recent years.
Panic and Horror: Eyewitnesses Describe the Blast
Eyewitnesses who were near the site recounted terrifying moments as the explosion tore through the evening calm. “There was a loud boom, and the flames shot up as high as the streetlights,” said Kumar, one of the first people on the scene. “People were screaming and running in every direction. Cars were burning, and I saw people on fire.” Another witness, Irfan, said he saw dismembered body parts scattered across the street, calling it a “scene straight out of a nightmare.”
The explosion took place around 7 p.m., a time when the area around the Red Fort — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a key symbol of India’s national identity — is typically crowded with tourists, commuters, and vendors. The blast not only destroyed multiple vehicles but also triggered a massive fire that engulfed surrounding cars.
Government Responds: Anti-Terror Law Invoked
Authorities wasted no time in responding to the attack. Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha confirmed that the explosion is being investigated under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), a powerful anti-terror law. “A vehicle exploded near a red light, causing extensive damage to nearby vehicles. We are treating this as a terror-related incident until proven otherwise,” he said.
Home Minister Amit Shah held an emergency meeting with top intelligence and security officials shortly after the blast. In a statement, he confirmed that “all angles are being investigated,” and that federal agencies are working closely with Delhi Police and the Intelligence Bureau. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a state visit to Bhutan at the time, expressed his condolences and said he was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy. Modi assured the public that the “conspirators behind this will not be spared.”
Faridabad Connection: Tracing the Terror Network
As investigators dig deeper, a chilling link has emerged between the Delhi blast and an earlier police operation in Faridabad, an industrial city located about 30 kilometers away. According to reports, authorities had seized a cache of explosives there just hours before the Red Fort explosion. The same investigation led to the arrest of two Kashmiri doctors allegedly linked to the banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
Sources say the Hyundai i20 used in the blast was traced to one of these suspects. The car had changed hands several times over the years, and its original owner — detained by police — told investigators that he had sold it years ago to another man in Delhi, who then resold it recently. Forensic experts are now analyzing remnants of the vehicle to determine the type of explosive used and whether it was remotely detonated.
Heightened Security Nationwide
In the wake of the blast, authorities have imposed heightened security measures across India, particularly in northern states. Rajasthan’s Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma ordered police to be on “full alert mode,” especially around religious sites, transport hubs, and shopping centers. Railway stations in major cities like Mumbai and Lucknow have also been placed under heavy surveillance, while the Red Fort has been closed to visitors for three days.
Security agencies are reviewing CCTV footage from the area, scanning through hours of video to identify potential suspects. Meanwhile, Delhi Police are coordinating with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to determine whether the attack is part of a larger plot.
Historical Echoes: Delhi’s Troubled Past with Terror
For many, Monday night’s blast is a painful reminder of past terror attacks in India’s capital. Delhi has witnessed several devastating explosions over the past two decades — from the 2005 Diwali-eve blasts that killed 70 people to the 2011 Delhi High Court bombing that claimed 15 lives. Groups like the Indian Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba have previously targeted the city in similar fashion, seeking to instill fear in densely populated areas.
Experts believe that the Red Fort blast marks a disturbing resurgence of such threats, especially amid rising geopolitical tensions in the region. Security analysts say the choice of location — a symbol of India’s sovereignty — is deliberate, intended to send a message both domestically and internationally.
The Red Fort: Symbol of India Under Threat
The Red Fort, or Lal Qila, is more than a tourist attraction; it’s a national icon. Every Independence Day, the Prime Minister of India hoists the tricolor flag from its ramparts and addresses the nation. Built in the 17th century by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it stands as a monument of power, history, and unity. Its temporary closure following the explosion has heightened public concern and raised questions about the state of urban security around high-value national heritage sites.
Independent journalist Amit Baruah noted that the Red Fort area is one of the most crowded parts of the city. “It shatters the calm of the capital,” he said, describing the attack as one that “will definitely cause concern not just to residents of Old Delhi, but across the country.”
International Reactions and Media Spotlight
The blast has drawn significant international attention, including from Pakistan’s major newspapers and television channels such as Dawn, The Express Tribune, and Geo News, which prominently covered the incident. These outlets highlighted the invocation of India’s anti-terror laws and the ongoing probe into possible cross-border links.
The global media spotlight underscores the broader implications of the explosion — not just as a domestic security failure but as a potential flashpoint in regional stability. Governments across South Asia are watching closely as India intensifies its counter-terror operations.
Looking Ahead: A Nation on Edge
As Delhi mourns the victims, investigators are racing against time to uncover the full scale of the conspiracy. The next few days are expected to be crucial in identifying the perpetrators and understanding how such a large-scale attack went undetected. For the people of Delhi, the tragedy is a sobering reminder of the lingering threat of terrorism and the need for vigilance in an increasingly complex security environment.
Prime Minister Modi’s assurance that “those responsible will not be spared” reflects a sentiment shared by millions across the country — a demand for justice, accountability, and the restoration of safety in the nation’s heart.