Car blast near New Delhi’s historic Red Fort kills 10 people, injures 20, India declares state of high alert on border with Pakistan
India has declared a state of high alert on its border with Pakistan and Bangladesh following an explosion in New Delhi, India Today TV reported. Both Army and Border security forces have increased vigilance and stepped up patrols to prevent any potential threats.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was informed about the explosion in the Old Delhi district which is popular with tourists. He spoke with Home Minister Amit Shah.
On Monday evening, a car had exploded at a traffic light near the historic Red Fort.Ten people were killed and more than 20 were injured. The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined. Police are investigating the incident.
The blast, which triggered a fire that damaged several vehicles parked nearby, took place near one of the gates of the Red Fort metro station, the fire services said. The cause is being investigated.
New Delhi’s international airport, metro stations and government buildings were placed on a high security alert after the explosion, the government said.
Om Prakash Gupta, a witness who lives close to the scene, said he was at home when he heard a loud explosion. “I rushed out with my children and saw several vehicles on fire, body parts all over,” he told The Associated Press. He said he saw one body on the windscreen of a car.
A cab driver, who gave his name as just Shahrukh, said he heard a loud explosion. “I came out of the car and started running along with others on the road,” he said.
The historic imperial palace, the Red Fort is a major tourist attraction in the Old Delhi section of the city. Local media footage showed damaged vehicles and a police cordon at the site.
A spokesman for the city’s police force, earlier had said that at least 8 people were killed, and several others injured. “We are investigating the cause of the blast,” he said.
The fire service said the blast injured 19 people, who were being treated at a government hospital.
Images from the scene showed some shattered windowpanes and mangled pieces of vehicles while plumes of fire billowing from the burning cars.
Home Minister Amit Shah told local media that a Hyundai i20 car exploded near a traffic signal close to the Red Fort. He said CCTV footage from cameras in the area will form part of the investigation.
“We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking all possibilities into account,” Shah said. “All options will be investigated immediately, and we will present the results to the public.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on social media site X: “Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the blast in Delhi earlier this evening. May the injured recover at the earliest.”
The investigation is being conducted by the National Investigation Agency, India’s federal terror investigating agency, and other agencies.
