Massive Delhi Blast Hours After 2,900 kg Explosives Found In Faridabad
Delhi witnessed one of its most frightening security scares in recent memory after a powerful explosion ripped through a passenger car near the Red Fort on Tuesday evening. What makes the incident more alarming is the timing. The blast occurred only hours after authorities recovered a staggering 2,900 kilograms of explosives in Faridabad, located about 50 kilometres from the national capital. The two incidents have raised serious concerns about possible links, prompting investigators to treat both events with maximum urgency.
The blast took place at 6:52 PM in a Hyundai i20 car near the Red Fort Metro Station, a busy area surrounded by markets, tourists and heavy traffic. Thirteen people were killed and 24 were injured. The intensity of the explosion left bodies and vehicle parts scattered across the road. Several cars near the blast site were severely damaged. Bystanders described the scene as chaotic, with flames, smoke and debris filling the air.
Police officials said the car was moving slowly when it reached the Red Fort traffic signal. The explosion occurred moments later. The blast was loud enough to be heard across the surrounding neighbourhoods, sending panic through one of the most crowded areas of Old Delhi. Investigators later confirmed that the car was registered in Haryana in the name of a man identified as Nadeem.
Hours earlier, authorities in Faridabad had seized nearly three tonnes of explosives during a routine operation. The size of the haul shocked officials. The discovery raised immediate concerns about the possibility of a larger plot. While investigators have not confirmed any link between the Faridabad seizure and the Delhi blast, the timing has made agencies examine every angle carefully.
The National Investigation Agency and the National Security Guard quickly joined the probe. Both teams reached the blast site to collect forensic material and reconstruct the sequence of events. Experts believe that only a detailed examination of debris and residue will reveal the type of explosive used in the car. Investigators are also checking whether the blast was triggered manually, remotely or through some mechanical malfunction. At this stage, all possibilities remain open.
The impact of the explosion extended far beyond Delhi. Multiple states were placed on high alert, including Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Hyderabad. Bihar, which is set for the final phase of voting on Wednesday, tightened security across polling stations. Kerala also instructed its police force to increase vigilance statewide.
Disturbing visuals from the scene showed charred bodies, burnt car frames and broken glass spread across the road. Fire services responded immediately. Seven fire units were sent to the area, and the blaze was brought under control by 7:29 PM. Emergency personnel worked quickly to move the injured to Lok Nayak Hospital, where medical teams were on standby. Outside the hospital, anxious relatives gathered in large numbers, searching for information about family members who may have been at the blast site.
The Red Fort area is one of Delhi’s busiest zones. The seventeenth century Mughal monument attracts domestic and international tourists every day. The neighbourhood also includes Chandni Chowk, one of the largest and oldest markets in the city. The market draws several lakh visitors daily. A blast in such a high-density zone has heightened concerns about the choice of location and timing.
The seizure of 2,900 kilograms of explosives in Faridabad has added another layer of urgency to the investigation. Officials are examining where the explosives came from, how they were transported and whether they were meant for use within the National Capital Region. The quantity found is large enough to cause widespread damage, which is why security agencies are treating the situation as a significant threat.
Home Minister Amit Shah briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon after the blast. Senior officials from Delhi Police, the Intelligence Bureau and the National Investigation Agency continued to provide real-time updates. Shah said that the blast would be investigated thoroughly and that all angles would be explored. He confirmed that teams from the Delhi Crime Branch and Special Branch reached the blast site within minutes of the first reports.
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Investigators are reviewing footage from every CCTV camera in the surrounding area. The goal is to track the movement of the Hyundai i20 from the moment it entered the Red Fort zone. The footage may reveal whether the car was being trailed by anyone or if suspicious activity occurred before the explosion. Digital forensic experts are also analysing mobile networks in the region to identify unusual activity around the time of the blast.
Eyewitnesses have described the explosion in vivid detail. An auto driver named Zeeshan, who suffered injuries, said the car in front of him suddenly exploded without warning. A resident said he saw a huge fireball rising from the road and heard a sound strong enough to shake the windows of nearby buildings. Another witness said the blast was so loud that people inside a nearby gurdwara could not understand what had happened at first.
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The twin shocks of the Delhi blast and the Faridabad explosives have put the entire region on alert. Security forces are increasing patrols in crowded public spaces, transport hubs, markets and government buildings. Authorities have urged the public to remain calm but vigilant.
The investigation is ongoing. The priority for agencies is to determine whether the two incidents are connected and whether more threats exist. For now, Delhi remains tense as the city waits for answers, hoping for clarity on a day that delivered one of the most unsettling security scares in recent times.
