At least 13 people killed in Delhi bomb explosion

New Delhi - At least 13 people have been killed and more than 20 people are injured in an explosion in the Indian capital, Delhi, on Monday evening.

Many others remain in critical condition, reports said quoting hospital authorities.

Following the blast, half a dozen other vehicles also caught fire, eyewitnesses said.

Several fire tenders rushed to the spot and doused the flames, while teams from the Bomb Disposal Squad, Forensic Department and Delhi Police cordoned off the area.

Delhi Police have invoked India’s primary “counterterrorism” law, registering a case under Sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) along with provisions of the Explosives Act.

This means that even though officials have yet to formally confirm the cause of the blast or name suspects, they appear to be treating the explosion as a potential act of terrorism, not just a criminal or accidental blast.

Home Minister Amit Shah said that all angles are being probed. He also visited the blast site and victims at the hospital.

The Home Minister said, “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.”

Informing that orders have been given to examine all nearby CCTV cameras, Minister Shah said, “I have also spoken to the Delhi CP and the Special Branch in-charge. They are present at the spot. We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking all possibilities into account. All options would be investigated immediately and we will present the results to the public.”

Medical associations have appealed to people to come forward and donate blood.

PM Modi reviewing the situation

In a message posted on social media X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said,"Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the blast in Delhi earlier this evening. May the injured recover at the earliest. Those affected are being assisted by authorities. Reviewed the situation with Home Minister Amit Shah Ji and other officials.”

The city has been placed on high alert. Police in neighbouring states and major cities, including Mumbai, have also been put on alert.

The blast took place barely 40 km from Dhauj village in Faridabad where, earlier in the day, police recovered 300 kg of explosives, suspected to be ammonium nitrate, AK-47 rifle, a pistol, three magazines, 20 timers, a walkie-talkie set and ammunition from a rented accommodation and arrested one accused. Whether the two incidents are linked remains under investigation.