At least eight people were killed and 24 others injured after a high-intensity blast ripped through a car parked near the Red Fort on Monday evening, with the powerful explosion leaving multiple vehicles in flames and shattering window panes. One suspect has been detained, according to the police.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation as he spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Meanwhile, Delhi Police Commissioner and IB chief also briefed the MHA about the situation.
Shah visited the injured at the LNJP Hospital, where he also held a meeting with Delhi Police CP Satish Golcha and a team of doctors.
Earlier, he said all possible angles were being explored. "This evening, around 7 pm, a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi. The blast injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles. Preliminary reports indicate that some people have lost their lives. Within 10 minutes of receiving the information of the blast, teams from the Delhi Crime Branch and Delhi Special Branch arrived at the spot. The NSG and NIA teams, along with the FSL, have now begun a thorough investigation. Orders have been given to examine all nearby CCTV cameras. I have also spoken to the Delhi CP and the Special Branch in-charge. The Delhi CP and the Special Branch in-charge are present at the spot. We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking all possibilities into account. All options will be investigated immediately and we will present the results to the public. I will be heading to the spot shortly and will also visit the hospital immediately," he said earlier.
A team of NIA and CRPF DG, along with other senior police officials, were rushed to the spot. Forensics and dog squad are also at the spot. According to sources quoted by CNN-News18, agencies are looking into a possible angle of terror attack.
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, speaking to the media, said the blast occurred in a slow moving vehicle with people inside it as it stopped at the red light.
"Today at around 6.52 pm, a slow-moving vehicle stopped at the red light. An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged. All agencies, FSL, NIA, are here... Some people have died, and some have been injured in the incident. The situation is being monitored. The Home Minister has also called us, and information is being shared with him from time to time," he said.
Several fire tenders were rushed to the spot and the blaze was contained around 7:29 PM, according to fire department officials quoted by CNN-News18.
The blast was so powerful that it shattered windows of vehicles parked several metres away and was heard in nearby buildings of the congested area. Videos shared by the Chandni Chowk Traders' Association showed the magnitude of the blast. A body could be seen lying on a vehicle. Another video showed a body lying on the road. Eyewitnesses said body parts could be seen scattered near the blast site.
#WATCH | A call was received regarding an explosion in a car near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station, after which three to four vehicles also caught fire and sustained damage. A total of 7 fire tenders have reached the spot. A team from the Delhi Police Special Cell has… pic.twitter.com/Fg7117XPty
The anti-terror squad and Delhi Police Special Cell were on the spot to assess the situation. The exact cause of the explosion, which triggered panic in the area, is yet to be determined.
CNN-News18 quotes sources saying that the national capital, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have been put on high alert.
As per reports, more than 20 fire tenders were at the spot while the police cordoned off the area following the blast.
Visuals of the incident showed plumes of fire billowing from the burning cars. Panic gripped the area that was swarming with a huge crowd of people.
Speaking to ANI, Deputy Chief Fire Officer AK Malik said, "We got information that there was a blast in a car near Chandni Chowk Metro Station. We responded immediately, and seven units were sent to the spot. At 7:29 PM, the fire was brought under control.
“I was at the gurdwara when I heard a strong sound. We couldn’t make out what it was, it was that loud,” said an eyewitness. “A number of vehicles nearby were completely damaged,” he added.
Another resident said the impact was so strong that nearby shops and buildings shook. “I had come here to buy something when I heard a huge blast. The whole shop trembled,” he said. “Several people were injured, and many were being taken away from the spot soon after.”
The blast comes hours after the recovery of around 360 kg of suspected ammonium nitrate and a cache of arms and ammunition from a Kashmiri doctor’s rented accommodation in Haryana’s Faridabad.
Haryana Police, in coordination with their Jammu and Kashmir counterparts, arrested Dr Muzammil from Faridabad’s Dhauj area and recovered explosive materials, weapons, and timers from his rented house.
The accused, a teacher at Al Falah University, was reportedly wanted in a case related to terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed in Srinagar.
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