Highlights:
- Eight killed and several injured in blast near Delhi’s Red Fort
- Explosion occurred in a parked car close to Red Fort Metro Station
- Anti-terror squad and Delhi Police Special Cell investigating
- Follows recovery of explosives and arms in Faridabad
AT LEAST eight people were killed in an explosion near the Red Fort in a crowded area of New Delhi on Monday, television channels reported.
Visuals on local media showed flames and smoke coming from more than one vehicle on a congested street near a metro station in old Delhi. Firefighting vehicles and a police team reached the site, NDTV reported.
The Red Fort, also known as the Lal Qila, is a 17th-century Mughal-era monument located in the old city and is visited by tourists throughout the year.
Police issued a high alert in Delhi. Seven fire tenders were sent to the location, and police cordoned off the area, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said.
The explosion shattered windows of vehicles parked several metres away and was heard in nearby buildings in the area. "The blast occurred in a car parked near Red Fort Metro Station gate number 1. The intensity was quite high. Injuries are feared," said a senior official of Delhi Fire Service.
The anti-terror squad and the Delhi Police Special Cell reached the spot to assess the situation. Further details were awaited. Visuals showed plumes of fire rising from burning cars and panic among people in the area.
“I was at the gurdwara when I heard a strong sound. We couldn’t make out what it was, it was that loud,” said an eyewitness. “A number of vehicles nearby were completely damaged,” he added.
Another resident said nearby shops and buildings shook. “I had come here to buy something when I heard a huge blast. The whole shop trembled,” he said. “Several people were injured, and many were being taken away from the spot soon after.”
The blast took place hours after the recovery of around 360 kg of suspected ammonium nitrate and a cache of arms and ammunition from a Kashmiri doctor’s rented accommodation in Faridabad, Haryana.
Haryana Police, working with Jammu and Kashmir Police, arrested Dr Muzammil from Faridabad’s Dhauj area and recovered explosive materials, weapons, and timers from his rented house. The accused, a teacher at Al Falah University, was reportedly wanted in a case related to Jaish-e-Mohammed in Srinagar.
(With inputs from agencies)
