The national capital region of Delhi and the surrounding areas continue to operate under heightened security protocols following a devastating explosion near the historic Red Fort that claimed nine lives and left 20 others wounded on the evening of November 10.
The incident unfolded at approximately 7:00 p.m. when a powerful detonation ripped through a Hyundai i20 sedan at the Subhash Marg traffic signal, mere meters from the landmark monument. The blast not only engulfed the vehicle but also damaged several nearby cars, sending shockwaves through the bustling area.
In immediate response, law enforcement ramped up checks at entry points into the city and expanded vehicle inspections, placing Delhi on a full-scale alert. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) extended the vigilance nationwide, directing enhanced measures at critical infrastructure such as airports, the Delhi Metro network, cultural landmarks, official complexes, and other vital facilities.
In an update shared on X, the CISF stated: “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.”
ALSO READ : Masked Driver Captured on CCTV Moments Before Deadly Red Fort Explosion
The ripple effect of the event has prompted similar precautionary steps across multiple states, with Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar all elevating their alert levels.
In Telangana, authorities have bolstered patrols in urban centers like Hyderabad, Warangal, and Karimnagar, while intensifying surveillance in high-traffic zones, according to PTI.
Kerala’s Additional Director General of Police for Law and Order, H. Venkatesh, told The Hindu that vigilance has been augmented statewide. This includes closer monitoring of airports, rail hubs, the Kochi Metro, Water Metro services, and bus depots by relevant agencies.
Bengaluru’s police force has similarly disseminated a comprehensive alert, tasking all Deputy Commissioners of Police with reinforcing safeguards throughout the metropolitan area.
On the investigative front, Delhi Police have formally lodged a case at Kotwali Police Station, invoking Sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), alongside provisions from the Explosives Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). A police spokesperson, as quoted by ANI, confirmed: “A case has been registered under sections 16, 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Explosives Act and the BNS at the Kotwali Police Station.”
To manage the fallout, Delhi Traffic Police released a directive early Tuesday, imposing closures along key stretches of Netaji Subhash Marg, particularly from Chatta Rail Cut to Subhash Marg Cut. Effective from 6:00 a.m. and ongoing until further notice, the order prohibits all vehicular movement in both directions on the affected segments and service roads. Commuters are urged to steer clear and opt for alternate routes to ensure smooth travel.
Internationally, the US Embassy in New Delhi has advised its nationals to exercise caution. In a security bulletin, it recommended: “Avoid the areas surrounding the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk in Delhi and crowds; monitor local media for updates; be aware of surroundings; stay alert in locations frequented by tourists.”
As investigations proceed and security forces remain vigilant, the nation grapples with the implications of this tragic occurrence, underscoring the ongoing challenges to public safety in densely populated urban centers.