Red Fort Blast: Major Update Till Now – 13 Dead, Terror Link Suspected
A massive explosion shook Central Delhi on Monday evening near the Red Fort Metro Station (Gate 1) when a Hyundai i20 emerging from the Sunehri Masjid parking lot stopped briefly at a traffic signal — and seconds later blew up.
The intensity was catastrophic:
- At least 6 cars and 3 auto-rickshaws caught fire immediately.
- Nearby street lights went dark.
- Glass panels at the metro entrance shattered.
- Vehicles parked 150 meters away had their windows blown out.
- Debris from the blast site was found flung over 150 meters.
- Two people who happened to be filming in the area captured the blast on video. Slow-motion analysis shows even large trees shaking violently due to the shockwave.
Local shopkeepers reported:
⏱ Minute-by-Minute Emergency Response Timeline
- 6:55 PM — First call to Delhi Fire Services
- 7:00 PM — Police teams arrive
- 7:15 PM — Ambulances reach the site
Local residents from Chandni Chowk played a crucial role, transporting several injured victims to the hospital using e-rickshaws before ambulances arrived.
Casualties:
- 20+ injured
- 13 deaths (8 died before reaching the hospital)
All victims were rushed to LNJP Hospital.
🛑 Multi-Agency Investigation Launched
Within minutes, the following teams reached the blast site:
- Bomb Disposal Squad
- Forensic Science Units
- NIA (National Investigation Agency)
- NSG (National Security Guard)
While no official statement has confirmed the nature of the blast, early indications and investigative patterns show that the government is treating it as a suspected terror attack.
Supporting signals include:
- FIR registered under UAPA, used for terrorism-linked crimes
- PM Narendra Modi calling it a “conspiracy” during his Bhutan speech
🟡 Identified Victims (6 of the 13 Confirmed Dead)
- Lokesh Agarwal — visiting Delhi from Uttar Pradesh
- Ashok Kumar — DTC bus conductor
- Pankj Saini — cab driver
- Dinesh Mishra — garment shop worker, Chandni Chowk
- Nauman — cosmetic store employee
- Jumman Mohammad — e-rickshaw driver, sole earner of his family
🔍 Key Investigative Lead: The Hyundai i20 & Kashmir–Faridabad Terror Link
Number plate: HR26 CE 7674
Sources claim the ownership trail leads to several individuals, eventually connecting to Umar Nabi, a resident of Pulwama, who has now emerged as the prime suspect.
Police sources indicate:
- Umar Nabi was the last person seen driving the i20.
- The explosive material used in the blast matches the material seized earlier in Faridabad.
- Umar’s associates Dr. Muzammil and Dr. Adil were arrested several days prior.
- To confirm whether Umar died in the blast or fled, authorities have taken DNA samples from his mother.
💥 Forensic Shock: 360–3000+ Kg Explosives Recovered from Faridabad Hideout
In a major parallel operation days earlier, police seized:
- 360–3000+ kg of suspected Ammonium Nitrate
- 20 timers
- Walkie-talkies, batteries, wiring
- 5 kg of metal shrapnel material
- A Crique rifle, magazines, pistol
Clearly, a large-scale terror module was being established.
⚠ Was the Red Fort Explosion a ‘Rushed’ Blast?
According to Times of India and police insiders:
- The bomb was “loosely assembled”
- There were no shrapnel fragments
- The explosion had a “limited impact” due to improper construction
- The attack may have been executed hastily after Umar’s associates were arrested
🧪 Forensic Indicators Observed
Based on the blast pattern:
- Large debris field (150 meters)
- Upward blast signature consistent with ANFO-type explosives
- Temperature reports from nearby burned vehicles
- Absence of metallic shrapnel
The explosion appears consistent with a high-yield ANFO or ammonium nitrate-based device placed inside the vehicle.
⚠ Public Advisory: Avoid Speculation and Hate Narratives
In incidents like these:
- Avoid sensational TV media coverage
- Do not fall for hate-filled social media narratives
- Avoid jumping to political or communal conclusions without evidence
National unity and factual clarity are essential.
❓ Critical Questions Now Raised
- How did 3000+ kg of explosives reach Faridabad without detection?
- Were there intelligence failures similar to Pulwama (2019)?
- Was this attack intended to be much larger than what actually occurred?
- How active is this sleeper cell network?
These questions place significant accountability on the Home Ministry and security agencies.
📌 Conclusion
The Red Fort blast is not an isolated event — it is a direct indication of a major terror conspiracy emerging across multiple states.
Forensic findings, explosive recoveries, and suspect trails all point toward a well-planned module, possibly disrupted prematurely.
This is a time for patience, vigilance, and fact-based investigation, not panic or misinformation.
