Car Blast Near Red Fort Delhi on Monday 10 November

 Delhi’s Red Fort area rocked by a deadly “Dhamaka” — what happened, who’s affected, and what it mean? 

By Intimate Viewpoint

On the evening of Monday 10 November 2025, a powerful explosion ripped through a heavily trafficked street near the Red Fort in Old Delhi,

setting vehicles alight, shattering windows and plunging the historic heart of the capital into chaos. The blast — reported to have originated inside a stopped vehicle at a traffic signal close to Gate 1 of the Red Fort metro station — left scores of people wounded and several dead, triggered a multi-agency investigation and prompted immediate security responses across the national capital.

Below is a comprehensive, up-to-date account of what is known so far, how authorities and first responders reacted, what statements senior officials have made, and why the incident matters — locally and nationally.

What happened (the basic facts)

According to police, fire services and multiple eyewitness reports, the explosion happened just before evening rush hour in the dense Thari (Chandni Chowk / Red Fort) area. A slow-moving vehicle had reportedly stopped at a red light near the Red Fort metro station, and an explosion erupted in or from that vehicle. Flames quickly spread to nearby parked vehicles and autorickshaws, producing a scene of burning cars, smoke and shattered glass. Emergency teams — Delhi Police, the fire service and ambulance units — rushed to the spot and moved victims to nearby hospitals.

Initial casualty figures reported by different outlets vary as authorities continued to update counts: immediate reporting put the death toll in the single digits and the injured in the dozens; some later tallies reported higher numbers as more casualty information was verified. Authorities were treating the incident as a major criminal/security event and mobilised forensic and anti-terror agencies. 

Casualties, damage and immediate response

Local hospitals received a stream of injured people after the explosion; several of the dead were reported to have been brought in already lifeless, while many others arrived with severe burns and blast injuries. Visuals from the scene showed multiple vehicles charred beyond recognition, large scorched patches on the road and rescue workers moving among the wreckage. Fire officers said multiple cars and autorickshaws caught fire and had to be extinguished.

Central and state authorities moved swiftly: the Delhi Police cordoned off the area, forensic teams from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and specialised units were called in, and senior political and security figures visited hospitals and the scene. India’s Home Minister visited the hospital where victims were taken and vowed a thorough probe. Several central agencies — including national investigative teams — were reported to be involved in the probe. 

Was this terrorism? Legal and investigative steps

Within hours, police said they were probing all possibilities. Several media outlets reported that anti-terror provisions or related statutes were being invoked as investigators examined whether the blast was accidental, criminal or an act of terrorism. Authorities publicly stated they would “explore all possibilities” and conduct a thorough examination of the scene, the vehicle and any forensic traces.

Invoking stronger investigative statutes is, in part, procedural — it gives law enforcement expanded powers to investigate sources of explosive materials, tax and registration trails, communications and any organised networks. At the same time, investigators emphasised the need to confirm technical forensic evidence (residue analysis, blast pattern, CCTV and phone records) before assigning blame or motive.

Clues from the scene and early leads

News outlets reported some early leads: the vehicle involved was widely described as a Maruti Eeco van in several reports, and some Indian media said the vehicle was registered under a local name from nearby Gurugram (Gurgaon) — reporting that investigators were following registration and ownership trails and had taken some persons into custody for questioning. CCTV footage, traffic signal camera feeds and mobile phone data were being seized and analysed. 

Forensic teams were reported to be combing for shrapnel, wiring, residue and the blast signature that could distinguish between a conventional vehicle-related fire/explosion (for example, a fuel tank rupture or gas cylinder incident) versus an externally placed IED. Local officials emphasised that different kinds of evidence would be needed to draw conclusive technical findings.

Eyewitness accounts: what people on the ground saw and felt

Dozens of residents and passersby gave harrowing accounts: windows vibrating from the force, a sudden roar, flames shooting up from the vehicle and immediate panic as people tried to flee. Some witnesses reported seeing body parts or badly injured people on the road — testimony that several outlets relayed while noting it came from traumatised witnesses and was still being corroborated. Local shops, small temples and market stalls in the vicinity were damaged; some glass fronts and facades were blown out.

Eyewitness video and mobile footage — widely circulated on social platforms and picked up by broadcasters — showed intense flames and a chaotic crowd. Authorities worked to keep onlookers back to allow rescue operations to proceed and to preserve evidence. Multiple outlets emphasised that while social media provided immediate visuals, investigators would rely on verified CCTV and official forensic analysis for the facts. 

Political leadership and official reactions

The incident drew immediate statements from top leaders. The Union Home Minister visited the blast site and hospitals and publicly promised a “thorough” investigation, saying all possibilities would be considered and that the government would keep citizens informed. Central ministries placed police forces on alert in other major cities and neighbouring states were asked to heighten security and share intelligence. Senior police and security commanders briefed central agencies and the public as the inquiry progressed. 

These high-level visits had two effects: they reassured the public that the incident was being treated seriously, and they signalled to investigators and agencies the political imperative of a fast, transparent inquiry. At the same time, officials warned against premature conclusions while forensic and technical analysis were incomplete.

The security implications and citywide precautions

Because the blast occurred in a crowded, tourist-visited historic area — adjacent to the Red Fort and busy markets like Chandni Chowk — security managers treated the incident as a severe threat vector. Metro authorities briefly suspended operations in the immediate area while authorities cleared the scene and ensured there were no secondary devices. Police said additional patrols, vehicle checks and checkpoints were established around key city sites, and ministries ordered heightened vigilance in other state capitals. 

For businesses and residents the immediate practical impacts were palpable: traffic diversions, temporary shutdowns of adjacent markets, and a heavy police presence at entry points for several hours. Tourism and street commerce — an important part of Old Delhi’s economy — faced disruption during the clearance and investigation phase.

Historical context: why an attack in this area is especially sensitive

The Red Fort and Chandni Chowk area are symbolic and densely populated: the Red Fort is a UNESCO-recognised heritage monument and a national symbol where India’s prime minister traditionally addresses the nation on Independence Day. Attacks or explosions in and around historic monuments have both human tolls and psychological effects — they erode a sense of public safety, disrupt tourism and can be intended to maximise media and political impact. India has seen episodes of urban bombings in the past two decades; each such incident is therefore treated with heightened concern. Several analysts and outlets compared this explosion to earlier city attacks in noting the emotional resonance for the public. 

Media coverage, verification challenges and misinformation risk

The immediacy of cellphone video, eyewitness testimony and social feeds is a double-edged sword: while they provide raw real-time documentation, they can also circulate unverified claims that complicate investigations and public understanding. Senior police officers publicly asked citizens to rely on official channels for casualty counts and forensic conclusions, and to avoid sharing graphic or unverified content that could inflame panic. Editors and international outlets cautioned that early casualty numbers and attributions often change as facts are checked.

Who might be responsible? What investigators will (and won’t) reveal

At the time of initial reporting, authorities had not attributed the blast to any specific group or motive. Investigations typically follow a standard sequence: secure the scene, collect physical evidence (blast residue, wiring, vehicle fragments), review CCTV and phone records, interview witnesses and trace vehicle ownership and movements. If residues or device components typical of a particular explosive signature are found, that can point investigators toward external supply chains or known methods. Otherwise, investigators will test alternative hypotheses such as accidental fuel/engine ignition, illegally stored gas cylinders or deliberate placement of an IED.

Some local reports indicated that a person had been detained for questioning and that the van’s registration was being checked in neighbouring Gurgaon, but authorities cautioned against jumping to conclusions until forensic evidence and a full chain of custody for the vehicle and its occupants were established. 

The human cost and stories of rescue

Beyond numbers, the blast produced many individual stories: first responders who pulled survivors from burning vehicles, local shopkeepers who sheltered the injured, and hospital staff who triaged burn victims in a chaotic influx. Charities and blood banks in the city were mobilised to support hospitals. For families in the area, the blast was a traumatic reminder of how quickly daily life can be transformed. Many community members praised the rapid action of firefighters and emergency medical teams while mourning the dead. Media accounts captured both heartbreak and solidarity — neighbours helping neighbours in the immediate aftermath. 

What to watch for next (key milestones in the probe)

1. Forensic report — residue analysis and blast patterning: this will be the most important technical evidence to determine whether the explosion was caused by an IED, an onboard fuel ignition, or some other source.

2. CCTV and phone data — investigators will map the van’s movements and the people who used it in the hours before the blast. 

3. Suspect interviews and ownership trail — confirmation of who owned, drove or had access to the vehicle, and whether any arrests are made and formal charges filed. 

4. Official attribution — once forensic and digital evidence are analysed, authorities will decide whether to characterise the event as terrorism, a criminal act, or an accident.

Broader implications

A violent incident in a high-profile location carries political and security implications beyond the immediate tragedy. It raises questions about urban surveillance, vehicle screening around sensitive monuments, intelligence cooperation among states and the speed of emergency medical response. It also tests public trust in security agencies and the government’s ability to give timely, accurate updates without stoking panic. Finally, if the incident is confirmed as terrorism, it could shape national security policy and lead to an intensified law-enforcement response across regions. 

How citizens and visitors should respond now

Authorities typically advise: avoid the area to allow emergency services and investigators to work; follow instructions from police and metro authorities; donate blood only through official blood bank channels if asked; and avoid sharing graphic unverified content on social media. For those with family and friends in the area, the first step is to check official hospital lists and trusted news sources for verified casualty updates.

Closing note

The blast near the Red Fort is a developing story. In the immediate hours after the explosion, rapid reporting produced a mix of confirmed facts and preliminary claims; what matters now is the sober work of forensic teams, investigators and rescue services to establish what happened and why. Officials have pledged an exhaustive probe and additional security precautions were put in place across the capital. As the technical forensic findings and the results of enquiries into the vehicle’s ownership and movements become available, a clearer picture should emerge.

Sources (selected contemporaneous reporting)

AP News — “New Delhi car blast kills at least 8 people, police say.”

Al Jazeera — “Indian police invoke ‘terrorism’ law after Delhi blast kills nine people.”

India Today — “Delhi Car Blast: … involving a Maruti Eeco van … being closely monitored by PM and Home Minister.” 

Amar Ujala (Hindi) — reporting on vehicle registration and local leads. 

France24 — “Several killed in car blast near New Delhi’s Red Fort.”