Delhi blast: Premature explosion kills 13 amid police raids
The Red Fort metro station will remain closed on Wednesday, November 12, as a precaution while authorities conduct security checks following the deadly blast.
New Delhi: The death toll in the devastating car explosion near New Delhi’s Red Fort has climbed to 13, with the investigation now officially handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Authorities confirmed that preliminary findings suggest the blast was the result of a “premature” detonation, likely triggered in haste as police raids closed in on the suspects involved in the plot.
According to investigators, a doctor from Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir is believed to have been the sole occupant of the vehicle that exploded on Monday, November 10. Officials say the individual may have panicked after learning that two of their close associates had already been arrested during a series of police raids in the region, leading to an unplanned detonation of the explosive device.
The explosion, which took place just meters away from the Red Fort metro station, caused chaos in one of Delhi’s busiest areas and left several vehicles charred. Witnesses described hearing a deafening blast followed by plumes of thick smoke and scenes of panic as bystanders rushed to help the injured.
In response to the attack, the Lal Quila (Red Fort) Metro Station will remain closed on Wednesday, November 12, as a precautionary measure. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced on social media that all other metro stations across the city will continue to operate normally. Security across the capital has been significantly tightened, with police checkpoints set up at major intersections, metro stations, markets, and transport hubs.
A senior Delhi Police official said that teams from the NIA, along with forensic and intelligence experts, have begun a detailed probe at the blast site. “The evidence so far points to a well-coordinated terror module with possible links to extremist groups operating from Jammu and Kashmir,” the official said.
On Tuesday, November 11, authorities arrested a woman identified as Dr. Shaheen Saeed, a 40-year-old medical professional from Jammu and Kashmir, in connection with the case. Police sources in J&K said this marks the eighth arrest in the ongoing investigation into the alleged terror module. At least 20 others are currently being questioned in the Valley as security agencies try to uncover the full network behind the operation.
Sources reveal that the Red Fort car explosion may be linked to a 20-day-long counterterror probe in Jammu and Kashmir involving two terror outfits, including Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). Investigators are now examining whether the group had planned multiple coordinated strikes in Delhi or other cities.
The NIA has collected fragments of the car and explosive residues for laboratory analysis. The blast, which investigators believe involved a mix of RDX and locally made materials, was powerful enough to shatter windows within a 200-meter radius.
Meanwhile, authorities have urged residents to stay calm and cooperate with security checks being carried out across the city. Senior officials emphasized that Delhi remains under high alert but reassured the public that there is no immediate threat.
“This was a serious but isolated incident,” an NIA spokesperson said. “Our teams are working around the clock to bring every person involved to justice and ensure the safety of Delhi’s citizens.”