The late‑Monday explosion of a Hyundai i20 near New Delhi’s Red Fort killed at least eight people and injured several others. India’s National Investigation Agency has opened an anti‑terror probe and is leading forensic investigations while security has been tightened at major transport hubs and key installations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visiting Bhutan, vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Deadly Car Explosion Near New Delhi’s Red Fort Kills at Least Eight; Anti‑Terror Probe Launched
The late‑Monday explosion of a Hyundai i20 near New Delhi’s Red Fort killed at least eight people and injured several others. India’s National Investigation Agency has opened an anti‑terror probe and is leading forensic investigations while security has been tightened at major transport hubs and key installations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visiting Bhutan, vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice.
10:24 PM, 11/11/2025Security
NEW DELHI — A powerful car explosion near New Delhi’s historic Red Fort late Monday killed at least eight people and injured several others, authorities said. Officials have opened a case under anti‑terrorism laws while investigators work to determine the cause of the blast.
A car exploded while stopped at a red light
Home Minister Amit Shah and other senior officials said the blast is believed to have originated in a Hyundai i20 that was stopped at a traffic signal. Flames from the explosion quickly spread to nearby cars and auto‑rickshaws, causing extensive damage.
“A slow‑moving vehicle stopped at a red light. An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged,” said Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha.
Photographs and video from the scene showed shattered glass, twisted metal and vehicles engulfed in flames. Authorities reported multiple fatalities and wounded people being treated at a government hospital. Eyewitness Om Prakash Gupta told reporters he rushed outside with his children after hearing the blast and saw vehicles on fire and severe casualties.
Investigation under way; federal anti‑terror agency leading
India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA), the federal anti‑terror body, has taken the lead in the probe along with forensic teams. Officials said they have registered a case under anti‑terror laws and are reviewing all possibilities. Footage from nearby CCTV and traffic cameras will be a key element of the inquiry.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was visiting Bhutan, said investigators would “get to the bottom of this conspiracy” and vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Security stepped up across key sites
Following the blast, authorities placed major train stations — including facilities in Mumbai and in Uttar Pradesh — on heightened alert. The security force that protects critical installations in the capital reported increased vigilance at the international airport, metro stations and major government buildings.
The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi advised American citizens to avoid crowds near the Red Fort and remain alert in tourist areas.
Red Fort: a symbolic, crowded landmark
The Red Fort is a sprawling 17th‑century Mughal complex and a major tourist attraction in Old Delhi, located about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from Parliament. It is a symbolic site where Indian prime ministers deliver their annual Independence Day address on Aug. 15. Streets around the fort are typically busy and lead into the city's bazaars.
Note: The investigation is ongoing and authorities have not publicly confirmed the exact cause or motive for the explosion.