New Delhi, November 11, 2025:
The Red Fort blast that rocked Delhi on Sunday night has taken a chilling turn, with investigators uncovering detonators, ammonium nitrate traces, and possible terror links to a Pulwama-based suspect. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) confirmed the recovery of high-grade explosive residues, including RDX, from the site — signaling a deliberate and well-executed plan.
Authorities now believe the explosion was caused by a custom-built improvised explosive device (IED) designed to cause high-intensity damage. One person died in the blast, and the investigation has widened across Delhi, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Explosion Near Red Fort: How the Incident Unfolded
The blast occurred around 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, November 10, near the Netaji Subhash Marg parking zone, a busy stretch flanking the Red Fort. The explosion ripped through a parked car, scattering debris over 25 metres and setting multiple vehicles ablaze.
Residents and shopkeepers nearby said the noise was “as loud as a bomb.”
“I was closing my shop when everything shook,” recalled Rafiq Ahmed, a trader from Daryaganj. “It felt like a tremor — then we saw flames and people running.”
Police arrived within minutes, sealing off the area as fire tenders doused the burning vehicles. Human remains, believed to belong to a man in his mid-30s, were recovered from the wreckage. DNA testing is underway to identify the victim.
RDX and Detonators Found: Proof of a Targeted Attack
A detailed forensic analysis by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) revealed RDX and ammonium nitrate residues from the car fragments. Investigators also found electronic detonators, wires, and a partial triggering circuit — suggesting a planned detonation.
According to an NIA officer involved in the probe:
“This was a professionally assembled IED using military-grade material. The combination of RDX and ammonium nitrate indicates deliberate planning and access to restricted substances.”
Investigators believe the device could have been remotely triggered or timer-based, built for maximum explosive yield within a compact area.
The Faridabad–Pulwama Connection Under Scrutiny
In a development that has drawn national attention, the NIA and Delhi Police Special Cell are probing the role of a Pulwama-based doctor, Umar, who has links to a property in Faridabad.
Sources told The Times of India that Umar is suspected to have provided logistical or technical support for the device used in the blast.
While officials have not confirmed Umar’s current location, digital communication records and surveillance data are being examined to trace possible contact with known Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) operatives.
A senior NIA investigator said,
“We have found preliminary digital evidence linking the Faridabad property to an account under investigation for encrypted communication. At this stage, we cannot rule out a JeM link.”
The probe also revealed similarities between this explosion and the Pulwama-style IEDs used in Jammu & Kashmir between 2018 and 2021.
Parallel Raids and Technical Forensics
Teams from the NIA, Intelligence Bureau (IB), and Delhi Police have conducted raids in Faridabad, Panipat, and Narela in search of additional evidence.
Recovered items include a partially burnt SIM card, fragments of a mobile phone motherboard, and chemical residue samples. These have been sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) for reconstruction.
A statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) confirmed that “technical and forensic collaboration with national agencies is underway to map the entire chain of planning and execution.”
The MHA has also ordered nationwide verification of chemical suppliers and tracking of ammonium nitrate transactions, a component often used to amplify RDX detonations.
Jaish-e-Mohammad Under the Scanner
While no terror group has claimed responsibility, investigators are focusing on Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) modules active in North India.
Intelligence sources told ANI that the explosive signatures and wiring techniques resemble those used in JeM-backed attacks, though officials maintain the need for conclusive evidence before attribution.
A security analyst and former counterterror chief, Brigadier (Retd.) Arun Tiwari, commented:
“The Red Fort blast carries symbolic intent more than tactical damage. Using RDX near a national monument suggests a message — one that tests Delhi’s security readiness.”
Delhi on High Alert
In response, the Delhi Police have tightened security across key zones, including India Gate, Jama Masjid, Connaught Place, Rajghat, and all Delhi Metro terminals.
Drone patrols, night barricades, and vehicle inspections have been introduced near heritage and government complexes.
Traffic remains diverted around Netaji Subhash Marg, and visitor access to Red Fort continues to be restricted while forensic work is ongoing.
Commissioner Sanjay Arora assured citizens that there is “no immediate follow-up threat” but emphasized vigilance.
“We urge residents to remain alert and report unattended vehicles or items. The investigation is being handled with full coordination between local and national agencies,” he said.
Central Government’s Response
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level review meeting with the NIA Director-General and IB Chief, ordering daily progress briefings and joint coordination among regional police units.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has also been briefed. According to officials, the Ministry of Home Affairs has categorized the incident as a Level-2 National Security Incident, triggering automatic multi-agency coordination under the NIA Act.
Delhi’s Collective Resilience
In Old Delhi, residents and traders returned cautiously to business on Monday.
The narrow streets of Daryaganj and Jama Masjid saw reduced traffic, but the city’s pulse — unshaken by years of challenges — continues.
“Delhi has seen terror, riots, and chaos, but it always finds balance again,” said Aditi Sharma, a student at Delhi University. “The blast was scary, but people are back on their feet.”
Security experts say that while Delhi’s monuments remain targets due to their visibility, collaborative intelligence and rapid response have helped avert larger tragedies.
FAQs on the Red Fort Blast and Ongoing Investigation
When did the Red Fort blast occur?
The explosion took place around 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, November 10, 2025, near the Red Fort’s outer parking zone along Netaji Subhash Marg.
What caused the explosion?
Forensic teams confirmed the use of RDX mixed with ammonium nitrate, triggered using electronic detonators. Evidence suggests the blast was caused by a professionally assembled IED.
Was this linked to a terror group?
Investigators are examining Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) links after leads connected a Pulwama-based suspect to a property in Faridabad. However, no group has officially claimed responsibility.
Who is leading the investigation?
The probe is led by the NIA, with support from Delhi Police Special Cell, IB, FSL, and CFSL. The case has been categorized as a Level-2 national security incident by the MHA.
What evidence has been found so far?
Recovered items include detonators, circuit boards, RDX-ammonium nitrate residue, SIM card fragments, and metal shards consistent with IED casing.
Has anyone been detained or identified?
Human remains found at the site are undergoing DNA testing. No formal arrests have been made yet, but multiple suspects are being questioned in Haryana and J&K.
How is Delhi responding to the situation?
Security has been stepped up citywide. Drone monitoring, night patrols, and vehicle checks are active around heritage zones and metro hubs. Residents have been urged to stay alert and follow verified police updates.