As investigations intensify, preliminary findings point to a disturbing Pulwama connection and potential involvement of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), raising alarms about cross-border terror networks.
The blast ripped through the bustling Chandni Chowk stretch at 6:52 PM, just 200 meters from the Red Fort's main entrance and adjacent to Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station. Eyewitnesses described a "fireball erupting from the sky," with the deafening boom echoing blocks away.
Thick black smoke billowed over the historic site, triggering mass panic among tourists, commuters, and local traders. "It felt like the ground swallowed us," recounted one survivor, highlighting the chaos that ensued.
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha confirmed the Hyundai i20, bearing Haryana registration (HR-26, Gurugram-linked), was moving slowly before halting at a traffic light, where it detonated. Forensic teams from the Rohini lab detected traces of ammonium nitrate-based explosives in the rear passenger compartment – a hallmark of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), not a mere fuel tank rupture or short circuit.
The blast's ferocity reduced the car to ashes, damaged nearby vehicles, shattered shop windows, and scarred street signs. Firefighters contained the inferno within 10 minutes, while police swiftly cordoned off the area and halted metro services.
Casualties remain a grim tally: Eight confirmed deaths, with initial reports citing up to 13, and 20+ injured, many critically treated at Ram Manohara Lohia and Lok Nayak hospitals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences via X (formerly Twitter) around 9:30 PM, vowing swift justice and assuring federal support.
Home Minister Amit Shah condemned the "cowardly act," emphasizing Delhi's safety as paramount. A multi-agency coordination group, involving NIA, IB, NSG, and state forces from Haryana, UP, Rajasthan, and Punjab, has been activated. The incident is classified as a Category A terror probe, with nationwide high alerts at heritage sites and metros.
The vehicle's shadowy ownership trail adds intrigue. Registered last to Tariq from Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir – echoing the 2019 Pulwama attack – the second-hand i20 changed hands multiple times via dubious documents.
Owner Salman is in custody, but NIA sleuths are tracing the "actual handler" through CCTV, mobile pings, and resale records. No terror links are ruled out, including Pakistan-backed groups.
Compounding suspicions, the blast followed a major bust in Faridabad (NCR) on the same day. J&K and Haryana police raided a rented property, seizing 2,900 kg of ammonium nitrate – enough for multiple VBIEDs – hidden by "doctor" suspects with terror ties.
Though officials downplay a direct link, the timing and material match fuel speculation of a radicalized module at play.
A viral LeT video surfaced hours before, featuring commander Saifullah Saif claiming Hafiz Saeed's network would "strike India via Bangladesh."
Authenticity checks are underway, but LeT's history – from 2008 Mumbai to Pulwama via proxies like TRF – fits the profile. Founded in 1980, the UN-banned outfit funnels funds through fronts like Jamaat-ud-Dawa, evading arrests despite Pakistan's claims.
October intel alerts had warned of festival-season VBIED threats in NCR-UP. Post-Diwali, this symbolic assault on Red Fort – site of PM's Independence Day addresses – carries psychological and political weight. Security ramps up, but experts urge deeper cross-border intel sharing.
As NIA probes radicalization angles and explosive flows, India braces. "This isn't random; it's a calculated hit," said a senior official. Justice demands unmasking the shadows behind the smoke. Stay tuned for developments in the Delhi Red Fort blast investigation.
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