Welcome to theustales.com.
A massive explosion tore through a busy street near Delhi’s iconic Red Fort on Monday evening. It happened just before 7 PM. A Hyundai i20 car burst into flames at a traffic signal. The blast killed at least 13 people and injured 20 others. Mangled bodies lay scattered. Wrecked cars burned fiercely. Panic spread quickly in the crowded old quarters.
Eyewitnesses described a loud boom. It shook nearby buildings. People ran for safety. Children and shoppers hid in shops. The area, usually buzzing with tourists, turned into a nightmare scene.
What Exactly Happened?
The blast struck at 6:52 PM local time. Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha shared details. A slow-moving Hyundai i20 stopped at a red light near Lal Qila Metro Station. Suddenly, it exploded. The force damaged nearby vehicles. Fire billowed out. Seven fire tenders rushed in. They controlled the blaze by 7:29 PM.
Forensic teams arrived early Tuesday. They inspected the site. Photos showed twisted metal and debris. Security personnel cordoned off the area. Investigators collected samples. They sent car parts to labs.
You may Also Like:
Casualties and Heroes on the Ground
At least 13 lives ended tragically. However, reports varied initially from 8 to 9 deaths. The toll rose to 13 by late updates. Twenty people suffered injuries. Most went to LNJP Hospital. Others reached AIIMS Trauma Center.
One victim was Ashok Kumar, a 26-year-old bus conductor. He worked for Delhi Transport Corporation. Ashok headed home after duty. He had three young children. His brother Devendra confirmed the sad news. Another man, Lokesh Kumar Gupta, remains missing. Ashok planned to pick him up.
Ambulances streamed in. Medics worked tirelessly. Families gathered at the morgue. They comforted each other in grief.
The Car’s Suspicious Journey
Police traced the Hyundai i20 quickly. It had a Haryana plate: HR26 CE 7674. The original owner, Md Salman, lived in Gurugram. He bought it in 2013. Salman sold it to Devendra in Okhla. Devendra resold it recently.
Authorities detained Salman. They arrested the latest buyer too. Links emerged to Kashmir. The car connected to men from Pulwama. Aamir Rashid Mir and his brother Umar Rashid got involved. Tariq Malik, also from Pulwama, knew about the sales.
CCTV footage revealed more. The car parked near the fort for three hours. It entered at 3:19 PM. The driver stayed inside. He wore a blue and black t-shirt. The vehicle left around 6:30 PM. Then, the explosion hit.
Terror Angle Emerges Strongly
Delhi Police invoked anti-terror laws. They registered cases under UAPA sections 16 and 18. Explosives Act applied too. No shrapnel found initially. Yet, ammonium nitrate seemed used.
Investigators probed a suicide attack. Dr. Umar Mohammad became the prime suspect. He worked at Al Falah Medical College in Faridabad. Born in Pulwama in 1989, Umar held an MD degree. He linked to a radical doctors’ group on Telegram. The group tied to Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Umar panicked after arrests. Police nabbed Dr. Adil Rather and Dr. Mujammil Shakeel. They recovered 2,900 kg of explosives in Faridabad. It included 350 kg ammonium nitrate. Umar allegedly triggered the blast. His mother and brothers gave DNA samples. Body parts underwent tests.
Leaders React with Resolve
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke from Bhutan. He carried a heavy heart. “The horrific incident saddened everyone,” he said. Modi contacted agencies all night. “Conspirators will not be spared,” he vowed. Justice would come swiftly.
Home Minister Amit Shah chaired meetings. He visited the site and hospital. “Top agencies probe with full intensity,” Shah assured. He explored all angles. Another review happened Tuesday morning.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh echoed the promise. “Those responsible won’t escape justice,” he stated. Findings would go public soon.
Chief Justice BR Gavai called it cowardly. Supreme Court observed silence. Other leaders like Nitish Kumar and Rajnath Singh offered condolences.
Security Tightens Across India
Red Fort closed for three days. Lal Qila Metro Station shut temporarily. High alerts sounded in Delhi. Borders saw intense checks. Railway stations beefed up guards.
Maharashtra heightened security at temples. Shirdi and Shegaon got barricades. Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh stayed vigilant. Jammu’s Vaishno Devi shrine increased patrols.
US Embassy issued alerts. Maldives President extended solidarity. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw put stations on alert.
Investigation Unfolds Step by Step
NIA officials reached the site. NSG teams joined. They examined CCTV footage. Mobile forensics started. Witnesses gave statements.
No pellets or punctures on injured bodies. This puzzled experts. Yet, detonators and fuel oil likely mixed in. Labs would confirm soon.
A live bullet lay on the ground. Glass shards covered roads. Charred vehicles lined the street. Morning light revealed the damage fully.
Nation Stands United in Grief
Families mourned at hospitals. Ashok’s story touched many. He supported eight people. Bihar polls continued amid alerts. Yet, the blast overshadowed everything.
Opposition leaders questioned lapses. Arvind Kejriwal called it alarming. Rahul Gandhi expressed sorrow. Mallikarjun Kharge demanded accountability.
Akasa Air advised early airport arrivals. Helplines activated: Delhi Police 112, LNJP 011-23233400.
A Wake-Up Call for Safety
This blast shattered Delhi’s calm. It recalled past attacks like 2005 or 2008. However, quick response saved lives. Firefighters acted fast. Police traced leads overnight.
The “white collar” terror module shocked authorities. Educated professionals turned radicals. Posters in Srinagar hinted earlier. Gujarat arrests linked indirectly.
India vows resilience. Operation Sindoor continues. No act of terror counts as war, sources said.
The Red Fort, a UNESCO site, stands tall. Built in the 17th century, it draws thousands daily. Now, it heals from this scar.
As probes deepen, truth will emerge. Victims’ families need support. The nation prays for peace.
FAQs
- What caused the explosion near Red Fort? Investigators believe ammonium nitrate caused it. However, full lab results await confirmation.
- Who is the main suspect in the blast? Dr. Umar Mohammad, a Pulwama doctor, tops the list. He likely drove the car and triggered the suicide attack.
- How many people died and got injured? At least 13 died. Twenty others suffered injuries and receive treatment.
- Why did police invoke anti-terror laws? Forensic evidence and intelligence pointed to terror links. They registered UAPA cases early.
- Is the Red Fort open to visitors now? No, it stays closed for three days from November 11 to 13.
- What helplines can people use for updates? Call Delhi Police at 112 or LNJP Hospital at 011-23233400 for blast-related help.