Delhi blast kills nine; Indian police invoke terrorism law

Indian authorities have launched an investigation under the country’s anti-terrorism legislation following a powerful car explosion near Delhi’s historic Red Fort that killed at least nine people and injured around 20 others on Monday evening, according to local media reports.

The blast, which ripped through a busy street near the Lal Quila metro station, set multiple vehicles ablaze and sent shockwaves across the capital. Videos circulated on social media showed charred cars and autorickshaws as police and emergency responders rushed to the scene to control crowds and extinguish fires.
By Tuesday morning, the Delhi Police Special Cell registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) — India’s primary anti-terror law — along with provisions of the Explosives Act. Investigators said preliminary evidence indicated the explosion was “intentional” rather than accidental.
A senior police official told reporters that forensic teams had collected samples from the debris, including metal fragments suspected to be from an improvised explosive device (IED). “We are examining all possible angles, including the involvement of organised terror networks,” he said.
Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited both the blast site and Lok Nayak Hospital, where the injured were being treated, promised a full-scale investigation.
“We will explore all possibilities and leave no stone unturned. The perpetrators will face the strictest action under law,” Shah said.
The minister also chaired an emergency meeting with senior intelligence and security officials to assess the situation.
In the aftermath of the explosion, authorities placed Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Maharashtra — including Mumbai — under high security alert. Additional police forces were deployed around major transportation hubs, including Indira Gandhi International Airport, key metro stations, and tourist attractions.
The Delhi Fire Service confirmed that six cars and three autorickshaws caught fire following the explosion. Deputy Fire Chief Rajendra Goyal said rescue efforts were complicated by heavy evening traffic and dense crowds in the area.
As investigators continue to piece together what triggered the blast, police sources said they are also reviewing CCTV footage from nearby shops and metro entrances. Intelligence agencies have been tasked with tracking potential cross-border or domestic terror links.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is reportedly on standby to take over the case if any terror group’s involvement is confirmed.
The explosion marks one of the deadliest attacks in Delhi in recent years, reviving concerns about urban security and the growing use of improvised explosives in Indian cities.