At least eight people were killed and more than 20 injured after a powerful explosion ripped through a crowded area near Red Fort, one of India’s most iconic historical landmarks in central Delhi, on Monday afternoon.

Police officials said the blast occurred around 3:45 p.m. local time near a busy street market outside the fort’s Lahore Gate entrance, a popular site for both tourists and local vendors. Emergency responders and bomb disposal units rushed to the scene as authorities cordoned off the entire area.

“We can confirm eight fatalities so far,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Manoj Meena. “Rescue operations are ongoing, and injured victims are being transported to nearby hospitals.”

Local news networks showed footage of mangled vehicles, shattered glass, and debris scattered across the road as ambulances and fire crews worked through thick smoke. Witnesses reported hearing a “loud explosion followed by chaos and panic.”

Investigators Probe Possible Terror Link

While officials have not confirmed the cause, senior Delhi Police officers said they are investigating whether the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) placed near a roadside stall.

India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been called in to assist, and forensic teams are collecting samples from the blast site. Preliminary findings suggest the explosive may have contained ammonium nitrate and shrapnel, a signature often used in prior militant attacks.

“We are not ruling out any possibilities at this stage,” said Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora. “It is too early to speculate, but the pattern resembles a deliberate act.”

No group has claimed responsibility as of Monday evening.

Red Fort: A Symbolic Target

The 17th-century Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has deep symbolic and political significance in India. The prime minister traditionally delivers the nation’s Independence Day address from its ramparts every August 15, and security in the surrounding area remains under constant surveillance.

Monday’s explosion occurred near the Chandni Chowk–Red Fort corridor, one of Delhi’s oldest marketplaces, packed with shoppers and commuters during evening rush hour.

“It felt like an earthquake,” said Mohammad Imran, a shopkeeper whose storefront windows were blown out by the blast. “People were screaming and running — I saw several lying on the ground bleeding.”

Emergency Response and Security Clampdown

The Delhi Fire Department confirmed that five fire engines and multiple rescue teams were deployed within minutes of the explosion. Hospitals including Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) and Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) have received most of the casualties.

In response, the Union Home Ministry placed Delhi and neighboring states Uttar Pradesh and Haryana on heightened alert, ordering intensified checks at railway stations, airports, and metro lines.

“Public safety is our top priority,” said Home Minister Amit Shah, who has requested a detailed intelligence briefing on the incident. “The perpetrators will be brought to justice.”

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation temporarily shut the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk stations as a precaution.

International Condemnations

Messages of condolence poured in from across the region. Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch issued a statement condemning the attack, while U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti said Washington “stands with India against terrorism in all forms.”

The United Nations Secretary-General’s office also expressed sorrow, calling the attack “a tragic reminder that violence against civilians is never justified.”

The Takeaway

The Red Fort blast marks one of the deadliest attacks in Delhi since 2011, when a similar explosion outside the High Court killed 15 people.

As investigators work to identify those responsible, the attack underscores the capital’s vulnerability — even around some of its most heavily secured landmarks.

“It was supposed to be just another busy Monday,” said witness Imran. “Now it feels like the city’s heart has been shaken.”