Delhi blast death toll rises to 13; Red Fort sealed for 3 days

Delhi blast

The death toll from Tuesday evening’s devastating car explosion near the Red Fort has risen to 13, as authorities shut the historic monument for three days and launched a massive security probe into the incident that has sent shockwaves across the nation.

The blast, which occurred at 6:52 pm within a Hyundai i20 stopped at a traffic light on Netaji Subhash Marg, was of such intensity that it scattered human body parts nearly 100 metres and engulfed surrounding vehicles in flames. The rising casualty figure was confirmed in a report by The Indian Express.

In an unprecedented security move, the Red Fort complex, a major tourist attraction, will remain closed for the next 72 hours. The adjacent Lal Quila Metro station has also been shuttered and key roads around the site remain barricaded as forensic teams, National Investigation Agency (NIA) personnel and dog squads continue their scrupulous examination of the area.

A case has been registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), signalling the seriousness with which authorities are treating the explosion. The charred vehicle has been sent for forensic analysis, with agencies probing the possible use of high-grade explosives such as ammonium nitrate, fuel oil and detonators.

The security response has extended far beyond the capital. Multiple states, including Maharashta, Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, have been placed on high alert. This nationwide caution underscores the grave concerns within the security establishment about the blast's potential implications.

The investigation is proceeding on multiple fronts. One key line of enquiry involves tracing the origin of the Hyundai i20. According to reports, the car’s registered owner, traced to Delhi’s Okhla area, claims to have sold it to a person in Haryana. His statements are now being rigorously verified.

Further deepening the mystery, the blast occurred a day after a separate raid by Jammu & Kashmir police led to the recovery of nearly 350 kg of explosives from two residential buildings in Faridabad, Haryana. Delhi Police are actively investigating a potential connection between the two events.

The international ramifications of the blast and the wider regional security situation were immediately felt. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) swiftly updated its travel advice, warning against all travel within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border and noting the closure of the Wagah-Attari border crossing.

The FCDO also reiterated its longstanding advisory against all travel to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, with specific exceptions for air travel to and from Jammu city. Separately, the office advises against all but essential travel to the state of Manipur, citing intermittent violence following the ethnic clashes that began in 2023.