Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK :  Monday evening in the heart of Delhi, outside the entrance to the busy metro station near the historic Red Fort, a single vehicle detonated, killing eight people and wounding approximately twenty others. .The blast occurred at around 7 pm on a major thoroughfare in the city’s old town—a time when the streets are dense with shoppers, commuters and traffic. 

According to the Delhi Police Commissioner, the explosion was triggered in a “slow-moving vehicle” which had paused at a red light just outside the metro entrance.  Investigators have zeroed in on the vehicle’s recent movements: CCTV footage apparently shows the car, registered in neighbouring Haryana, pulling into a parking area near the old town at about 3 pm, remaining stationary for around three hours, and with a masked driver inside. 

When the blast erupted, it unleashed destructive force. The flames engulfed cars, motorcycles and rickshaws nearby, shattered windows of a Sikh place of worship situated roughly half a kilometre away, and caused by-standers to describe scenes of horrendous carnage. One witness said he saw limbs scattered across the road and people engulfed in flame.  Another described the roar of the explosion as deafening, his ears ringing, and then the sight of debris and body fragments.

The authorities have treated the incident as potentially more than an accident. A case has been filed under the country’s anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, as well as the Explosives Act. Four persons have been detained so far in connection with the investigation. 

Senior government officials are offering stern words. Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that those responsible would not be spared and justice will be swift.  Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured that India’s top investigative agencies are conducting a “swift and thorough inquiry” and promised that the findings would soon be made public.  Home Minister Amit Shah admitted the probe is examining “all possible angles,” but said it was too early to determine what exactly caused the explosion until forensic evidence is fully analysed. 

The aftermath has left the city on edge. In Delhi extra security patrols have been deployed, airports and border areas placed on high alert, and other major urban centres such as Mumbai have also raised their threat levels.  Internationally, the United States Department of State issued condolences and said it was closely monitoring the situation. 

Key questions now loom: Why was the vehicle parked earlier in the day in a busy area near a landmark like the Red Fort? What device or mechanism triggered the explosion? Was the masked driver acting alone, or as part of a larger network? And crucially: was the target chosen to maximise casualties, to hit a symbolic site, or both? For the residents of Delhi’s old city the scene has left a haunting imprint—shops shuttered, traffic diverted, and mourning for the dead and injured far from over.

As the forensic teams dig deeper and investigators trace leads, the coming days will reveal whether this blast was the result of deliberate terror, sabotage, or something else entirely. For now, the city waits for answers and resolution.