Nationwide Alert Issued in India After Delhi Explosion

At least nine people were killed in a car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort. Several others were injured. Following the incident, a nationwide alert has been issued. According to media reports, at least 30 injured people are being treated at the nearest hospitals. Delhi Police spokesperson Sanjay Tyagi stated that the explosion occurred in a Hyundai i20 car. The three occupants of the vehicle are being investigated for survival.

Eyewitnesses said the blast was so powerful that they were stunned for several moments. One person reported that his house windows shook due to the explosion. A shop owner near the site said he fell to the ground three times due to the blast but managed to regain balance. Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the site late at night. The country’s President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, and other domestic and international leaders have issued statements regarding the incident.

After the explosion, extra police forces have been conducting special patrols in major cities including Kolkata and Mumbai. Airports have also been placed on high alert. The U.S. Embassy in Delhi issued a warning advising citizens to avoid the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk areas.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Police claimed that during raids in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, they recovered nearly three thousand kilograms of explosives, various chemicals for making explosives, four pistols, and rifles. Seven people, including two doctors, have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Amit Shah visited the site and the hospital where the injured are being treated, briefing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation. He stated that the National Security Guard and National Investigation Agency are investigating the explosion. “We are examining every angle. The investigation will be completed quickly and results will be presented to the public,” he said. Members of the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad, National Security Guard, and Central Reserve Police Force were present at the site.

Eyewitness Viru Sindhi, who was very close to the blast, said the signal was red, cars were stationary, and suddenly the explosion occurred, setting six to seven vehicles on fire. Auto-rickshaw driver Zishan said the explosion happened right in front of his vehicle. Ambulance driver Muhammad Asad said that when he arrived, several cars were on fire and the injured were scattered.

Local shopkeeper Waliur Rahman said he was in his shop during the blast and fell three times due to the force but managed to regain control. Resident Rajdhar Pandey said his house windows shook during the explosion.

Khaborwala/TSN