Delhi Red Fort blast live: Terrorism law invoked in India after 13 killed
On the evening of 10 November 2025, a devastating explosion occurred in the slow-moving car at a red-light traffic signal near entry to the Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi at about 18:52 IST. India Today+3www.ndtv.com+3AP News+3 According to official sources:
- The vehicle involved was a white Hyundai i20 with Haryana registration number HR26 CE 7674. www.ndtv.com+2amp.scmp.com+2
- The explosion caused major destruction: several nearby vehicles caught fire, body‐parts and wreckage littered the site. Wikipedia+1
- At least 8 people were killed, and around 20 or more injured—numbers varying in initial reports. Al Jazeera+3AP News+3amp.scmp.com+3
- The area was immediately sealed off; forensic teams and high security response were initiated. Reuters+2India Today+2
Response & Invocation of Anti-Terror Law
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Investigation steps
- The Delhi Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) promptly and included multiple serious offences including murder, attempted murder, explosive substances offences. Hindustan Times
- In addition, forensics are examining the blast site, CCTV footage, vehicle-trace, and communication records to piece together the chain of events. www.ndtv.com
- Security agencies across India raised alerts: key infrastructure (airports, metro stations, heritage sites) put on heightened watch. The Economic Times+1
Legal regime invoked
- The main legislation invoked is the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), India’s principal anti-terrorism statute. Reuters+2Hindustan Times+2
- Under UAPA, sections dealing with “terrorist acts”, “preparation for terrorism”, among others, are brought into play. Wikipedia
- Also included in the FIR are sections of the Explosive Substances Act (Sections 3 & 4) relating to illegal possession and use of explosives. Hindustan Times
- Officials have stated that “all angles” are being investigated — indicating state-terror link, organised module involvement, or major sabotage are being considered. The Independent+1
Why This Matters
Symbolic target & timing
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- The Red Fort area is a highly symbolic site: historic national monument, scene of major national ceremonies (such as Independence Day). A blast here carries heavy symbolic weight, beyond its human cost.
- The timing (evening, busy traffic signal, metro station nearby) places the incident in a highly-populated, heavily trafficked zone — increasing both casualties and psychological impact.
Shock to law-and-order & security architecture
- The fact that a car could enter, park/stop near this zone and explode raises serious questions about surveillance, vehicle monitoring, CCTV, traffic-signal oversight, parking rules in high-risk zones.
- Triggering of UAPA shows that authorities are treating the explosion not simply as an accident or conventional crime, but under the lens of terrorism / national security.
Wider implications
- A high alert was issued in neighbouring states including Uttar Pradesh (which borders Delhi) and in cities like Agra, Mathura. The Times of India+1
- Major infrastructure (airports, metro systems) across India have been put on heightened watch, indicating concerns about cascading threats or copy-attacks.
- Politically, the government now faces intense scrutiny over prevention, intelligence failure, preparedness for such blasts — especially given elections, regional tensions.
What We Still Don’t Know
- The precise cause: whether the explosion was a suicide-attack, remotely detonated car-bomb, or accident (though terrorism angle is being strongly probed).
- Who the perpetrators are: no confirmed foreign or domestic terror-group has publicly taken responsibility (as of the latest reports).
- The motive: whether the target was symbolic (Red Fort) or the explosion was opportunistic.
- Full casualty count and identities: early figures vary (8, 9, up to 13 killed) and investigations are ongoing. Al Jazeera
Key Legal Note: UAPA
- UAPA (1967, amended several times) allows the Indian government to designate individuals or organisations as “terrorist” under stringent provisions. Wikipedia
- Under UAPA, investigations are more streamlined, bail is harder, property seizure can be authorised, and the case can be handled by central agencies.
- The invocation of UAPA signals that authorities believe the incident may be linked to organised terror activity, rather than a simple criminal act.
What Next – Investigation and Public Safety
- Forensic teams will analyse explosive residue, determine whether ammonium‐nitrate or other hardened explosives were used (reports mention seizure of 2,900 kg explosive stash nearby in Faridabad which may be connected). www.ndtv.com+1
- Vehicle trace: how the Hyundai i20 came into site, how long it was parked/loitering etc. CCTV shows it may have been parked for several hours. www.ndtv.com
- Intelligence interrogation: identifying modules, networks, whether from Kashmir, Haryana, other states, foreign linkages.
- Public safety measures: stricter vehicle sensors in heritage zones, tighter parking rules, traffic-signal zone checks, increased patrols.
- Transparency & communication: Government and Delhi Police will be under scrutiny to share findings, victim compensation, security lapses.
Statement from the Government
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- Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed the investigation and said “all aspects are under investigation”. Reuters+1
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh vowed that “those responsible won’t be spared”. The Times of India
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences and stated he had reviewed the situation with his team. www.ndtv.com+1
Conclusion
The explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort marks a grave incident that goes beyond a tragic accident—it is being treated as a possible terrorist attack, given the invocation of UAPA. The symbolic location, timing, manner of explosion and subsequent security responses all point to a major security challenge for India. Over the coming days, the investigation will aim to reveal: motive, perpetrators, possible network involvement, and whether this marks a new kind of threat—or a lapse in prevention. Meanwhile, the government’s rapid elevation of the event to a terrorism probe signals the seriousness of the situation.
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