The Union Home Minister said that the National Security Guard (NSG) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) teams, along with Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) experts, have begun a detailed probe
Amit Shah at Lok Nayak Hospital. Pic/PTI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday visited Lok Nayak Hospital in the national capital to meet those injured in the car blast near the Red Fort, and later held a meeting with Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha and other senior officials to review the situation.
Shah said the explosion occurred around 7 pm in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal, near the Red Fort, injuring several pedestrians and damaging multiple vehicles.
“This evening, around 7 pm, a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi. The blast injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles. Preliminary reports indicate that some people have lost their lives. Within 10 minutes of receiving the information of the blast, teams from the Delhi Crime Branch and Delhi Special Branch arrived at the spot,” Shah told ANI.
The Union Home Minister added that the National Security Guard (NSG) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) teams, along with Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) experts, have begun a detailed probe.
“I have also spoken to the Delhi CP and the Special Branch in-charge. The Delhi CP and the Special Branch in-charge are present at the spot. We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking all possibilities into account. All options will be investigated immediately and we will present the results to the public,” Shah said.
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said that a slow-moving vehicle had stopped at a red light near the Red Fort Metro Station, when the explosion occurred, damaging nearby vehicles.
“Today at around 6.52 pm, a slow-moving vehicle stopped at the red light. An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged. All agencies, FSL, NIA, are here. Some people have died, and some have been injured in the incident. The situation is being monitored,” Golcha said.
He added that the Union Home Minister is being updated regularly about the developments.
“The Home Minister has also called us, and information is being shared with him from time to time,” said Golcha.
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi also took stock of the situation and spoke to Amit Shah, government sources said, adding that the PM was briefed on the latest updates.
According to a senior official from Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital, 15 people were brought in after the blast.
“Eight of them died before reaching the hospital. Three are seriously injured. One is in stable condition,” the hospital’s medical superintendent told ANI.
Officials confirmed that seven fire tenders were rushed to the spot, and the fire was brought under control by 7.29 pm, said Deputy Chief Fire Officer AK Malik.
“We responded immediately, and seven units were sent to the spot. At 7:29 pm, the fire was brought under control. All our teams are present at the spot,” he said.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of horror, with body parts scattered on the road and several cars damaged in the impact.
“When we came near, we saw body parts spread on the road. No one could figure out what happened,” said one eyewitness.
“I fell three times due to the explosion. It felt as if we were all going to die,” said another local shopkeeper.
The Delhi Police, NIA, and FSL teams are jointly investigating the incident, with officials stating that all possible angles — including terror links — are being examined.
(With ANI inputs)
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