Delhi Red Fort blast: Focus on how suspects procured huge explosives cache
The Centre transferred the blast case to NIA after links emerged connecting the incident to the Faridabad terror module
The probe into the blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, which killed at least 12 people and injured several others, has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday (November 11) transferred the car blast case to the NIA after links emerged connecting the incident to the Faridabad terror module, where a large cache of explosive material was seized, PTI reported.
A high-intensity explosion ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, killing at least 12 people and gutting several vehicles, officials said.
Meanwhile, security agencies are focusing on how a sophisticated "white-collar" terror module managed to acquire and store a huge quantity of explosives, including ammonium nitrate, the substance suspected to have been used in Monday's deadly blast.
The attack has once again highlighted the ease with which restricted chemicals can be weaponised, with officials trying to trace the logistics and procurement network of the recently busted inter-state terror cell. Ammonium nitrate is a dual-use chemical, widely valued as a popular nitrogen fertiliser and used extensively in the construction sector for controlled blasting in stone quarries. (Scroll down and read all details)
NIA takes over the probe
This is a clear indication that the blast, which has so far claimed 12 lives, is being considered by the government as an act of terror, as the NIA is mandated to probe terror cases only. "The blast case has been handed over to the NIA," a source told PTI.
The decision came hours after Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the security situation in the national capital and other parts of the country following the blast.
Shah has called another security review meeting on Tuesday afternoon. He has said top investigating agencies are probing the blast and they will go in-depth into the incident.
The blast took place in a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, killing at least 12 people and gutting several vehicles.
PM in Bhutan
After the blast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took stock of the situation and expressed condolences over the deaths. No terror outfit has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.
The police are scanning CCTV footage to determine the route of the vehicle before the blast occurred. They are questioning locals and asking eyewitnesses to share information about any suspicious activity in the lead-up to the incident.
Mobile dump data is being gathered, and dossiers of suspected terrorists are being scanned.
According to a fire department official, six cars, two e-rickshaws and one autorickshaw were gutted in the fire.
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Live Updates
- 10 Nov 2025 11:24 PM IST
High alert, strict security arrangements at all railway stations in Delhi-NCR: Northern Railway
The Railway Protection Force (RPF), in close coordination with the Government Railway Police (GRP), is on high alert with strict security arrangements at all stations in the Delhi-NCR region.
The Northern Railway said on Monday that security arrangements at major stations such as New Delhi, Old Delhi, Anand Vihar, Hazrat Nizamuddin and Ghaziabad have been reviewed, with all possible measures taken to enhance security without causing inconvenience to passengers.
"All railway officials and security personnel deployed at these stations are on high alert with strict security arrangements. RPF staffers have been deployed at various points, including station entry gates, exit gates and platforms," Himanshu Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer, Northern Railway, told PTI.
"Multiple dog squads have been pressed into service for checking passengers' luggage as well as the premises in and around stations," Upadhyay added.
Northern Railway officials said that close coordination is being maintained with the Government Railway Police (GRP), and the railway premises and surrounding areas are being monitored through CCTV cameras as well.
"Persons with suspicious behaviour are being checked thoroughly," the officials added.
"We request all passengers to remain calm and cooperate with security officials engaged in ensuring safety," Upadhyay said.
- 10 Nov 2025 11:17 PM IST
Car owner arrested: Reports
According to reports owner of the Hyundai car - i20, Mohammed Salman has been arrested. Reports said that the blast happened in a Hyundai i20 car. However, earlier, eyewitnesses said it was a Maruti Swift Dizire.
Also, Salman had sold the car to a person named Nadeem, reports claimed.
So far, there is no official confirmation of any arrest.
- 10 Nov 2025 11:11 PM IST
FSL team at blast site to carry out investigation
The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team is carrying out an investigation at the blast site.
- 10 Nov 2025 11:07 PM IST
Delhi-NCR installations under CISF on 'high alert'
The CISF has put all the Delhi-NCR installations under its security cover on "high alert".
"In the wake of the explosion in a vehicle near Red Fort Metro station, installations secured by CISF in the National Capital Region (NCR) including Delhi Metro, Red Fort, Government Buildings and IGI Airport have been placed on high alert. The situation is being constantly monitored and personnel are on standby," the force said in a message on 'X'.
- 10 Nov 2025 11:01 PM IST
US says ‘closely monitoring situation’
The United States said it is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to provide consular assistance.
A State Department spokesperson told PTI that “we are aware of the explosion near Red Fort in Delhi. We are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide consular assistance.”
- 10 Nov 2025 10:46 PM IST
Car registered in Haryana?
Delhi Police has detained the owner of the car which exploded. Reports indicate that the car came from Haryana.
- 10 Nov 2025 10:32 PM IST
Security tightened in Noida; checks at Metro stations, crowded places
Security has been stepped up in Gautam Buddh Nagar following a blast in a car near the Red Fort in Delhi on Monday evening, police officials said.
Police teams are conducting checking drives at metro stations and crowded places, and erected barricades at key locations to inspect suspicious vehicles, they said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Noida) Yamuna Prasad, along with police personnel, carried out foot patrols in Sector 62 and other crowded areas under the jurisdiction of the Sector 58 police station to review security arrangements.
He directed station in-charges to set up barricades, stop suspicious vehicles, and ensure thorough checking.
Similarly, DCP (Central Noida) Shakti Mohan Awasthy, accompanied by ACP-1 Central Noida Varnika Singh, led checking operations at metro stations and nearby crowded areas under the jurisdiction of the Sector 63 police station.
Awasthy instructed the Station House Officer to keep a close watch on all suspicious vehicles, maintain strict surveillance through CCTV cameras, and ensure constant patrolling by PCR and PRV vehicles, officials added.
