Explosion Rocks Central Delhi
A deadly cylinder explosion near the historic Red Fort in New Delhi has left 13 people dead and over 30 others injured. The blast occurred late at night inside a Maruti car, prompting a massive emergency response. Police and rescue teams quickly cordoned off the area and worked to secure the scene. Authorities recovered charred bodies both inside and outside the vehicle, indicating the severity of the explosion.
Eyewitness Dharmendra described the scene as chaotic, saying the car immediately caught fire after the blast, trapping and burning occupants alive. It was horrific, he told reporters, emphasizing the difficulty rescue teams faced reaching survivors.
Conflicting Reports About Vehicle Ownership
Initial media reports misidentified the car owner. While some channels and social media users referred to him as Salman or Tariq, eyewitnesses clarified the owner’s name as Nadeem. Such discrepancies have fueled confusion on social platforms, further complicating public understanding of the incident.
Police Investigations Point to Terrorism
After preliminary investigations, Indian police have suggested that the explosion may not have been an accident but a deliberate act of terrorism. Similar terror-related incidents have recently been reported in the region, including a roadside bomb in Pakistan’s Kurram district that killed four people. The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have taken over the case, examining evidence collected at the blast site.
Authorities noted the presence of suspicious materials along with the CNG cylinder, raising concerns that explosives may have been involved. Investigators are analyzing whether the blast was a coordinated attack targeting civilians in a crowded area of the capital.
Social Media Reaction and Government Response
Following the explosion, social media has been flooded with rumors and conflicting statements. In response, the Indian government urged citizens not to believe unverified reports and to wait for the conclusion of official investigations. Officials emphasized that spreading misinformation could hinder ongoing security and forensic work.
The blast near Delhi’s iconic Red Fort has heightened concerns over urban security and raised questions about the preparedness of authorities to prevent such incidents in public spaces. Investigations are ongoing, and officials have promised a full report once all forensic analyses are complete.
