On November 10, 2025, a devastating car explosion ripped through Delhi’s historic Red Fort area near Gate No. 1 of the Lal Qila Metro Station around 6:52 PM, killing at least thirteen people and injuring over twenty others in what authorities have termed a deliberate terrorist act. The blast, described by investigators as high-intensity, occurred in a white Hyundai i20 loaded with ammonium nitrate-based explosives and a detonator. The explosion gutted nearby vehicles, shattered metro station glass panels, and scattered debris across one of the capital’s busiest evening intersections, leaving chaos and panic in its wake. Eyewitnesses reported a deafening sound heard from several kilometers away, flames engulfing rickshaws and cars, and crowds fleeing in terror as smoke blanketed the old city’s skyline.
Initial reports estimated the toll at eight or nine, but the number of deaths rose to thirteen by the following day. The deceased included DTC bus conductor Ashok Kumar of Amroha, shopkeeper Lokesh Agarwal, e-rickshaw driver Mohsin of Meerut, Uber driver Pankaj Sahni, 22, and daily wagers Dinesh Mishra and Amar Kataria, among others. Most victims were modest earners caught in evening traffic. Dozens of injured were rushed to LNJP Hospital, several in critical condition.
The Delhi Police swiftly invoked provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosive Substances Act, declaring the incident a terror attack. Preliminary investigations indicate possible links to Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed, already known for orchestrating the 2019 Pulwama bombing. The car used in the attack was traced to Dr. Umar Mohammed, a Pulwama-based physician, who had entered Delhi through the Badarpur border hours before the blast. CCTV footage showed the car parked near the metro station for several hours before the explosion. Investigators believe Umar may have detonated the device after learning that two of his alleged associates—Dr. Mujammil Shakeel and Dr. Adil Rather—had been detained by police in Faridabad and Saharanpur with a massive cache of ammonium nitrate, similar to what was used in the blast.
Authorities suspect the attack was a fidayeen or suicide-style operation, part of a larger JeM module planning coordinated strikes across India. Intelligence inputs revealed posters in Srinagar hinting at impending “revenge missions,” lending further credence to the terror theory. Although the absence of a crater initially puzzled forensic experts, chemical residue from the vehicle confirmed explosive material. The National Investigation Agency, National Security Guard, and forensic teams conducted joint inspections of the site. Red Fort and nearby tourist zones were sealed off for three days as a precautionary measure while investigators continued evidence collection.
Nation Mourns, India Vows Justice
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack, promising that the perpetrators “will not be spared,” and later attended a special prayer in Bhutan for the victims. Home Minister Amit Shah chaired multiple high-level security meetings, directing nationwide alerts for airports, metro stations, railways, and heritage sites. International concern followed swiftly, with the United States, United Kingdom, and France issuing travel advisories and neighboring nations like Singapore and Bangladesh condemning the assault.
Public grief and anger poured across social media, while Pakistan’s military media wing attempted to dismiss the incident as a “false flag,” a claim firmly rejected by Indian officials citing credible intelligence evidence. The tragedy has revived memories of the 2000 Red Fort attack carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba, underscoring continuing threats to national monuments. As the investigation progresses, India stands united in mourning and vigilance, determined that justice will be served and that such acts of terror will find no refuge or sympathy within its borders.
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