Red Fort blast revives Delhi’s dark terror timeline: From Lajpat Nagar to High Court

Delhi was jolted once again on Monday evening when a powerful explosion ripped through a vehicle near the Red Fort metro station, killing at least eight people and injuring over two dozen others, officials confirmed. The high-intensity blast, which occurred around 7 p.m., gutted several vehicles and sparked panic across one of the capital’s busiest tourist and commuter zones.

What happened near Red Fort metro station?

According to police and fire officials, the explosion took place in a vehicle waiting near the Red Fort metro station traffic light. The ensuing fire spread rapidly, engulfing nearby cars and auto-rickshaws.

“Eight people have been confirmed dead so far. Twenty-four others have been injured and are receiving treatment at LNJP Hospital,” a senior Delhi Police official said.

The area has been cordoned off as forensic teams and anti-terror squads examine the site to determine the cause — whether it was a planned attack or an accidental detonation.

Echoes from the past

For Delhi, the sound of another explosion is a chilling reminder of years when terror repeatedly struck its heart. The city’s history is marked by a series of devastating blasts that left deep scars on its psyche and resilience.

1996 Lajpat Nagar Blast:

A powerful bomb ripped through the bustling market on May 21, 1996, killing 13 people and injuring dozens. It was among the first major urban terror incidents of post-liberalisation India, exposing Delhi’s vulnerability.

1997 serial blasts:

The following year, a chain of explosions rocked Sadar Bazaar, Karol Bagh, Chandni Chowk, and even a moving bus in Punjabi Bagh. The coordinated attacks spread fear across the capital’s markets.

2000 Red Fort attack:

The Red Fort, now once again in the news for tragic reasons, had previously been the scene of a terror assault when militants opened fire inside the complex, killing two soldiers. It was a symbolic attack on India’s heritage and sovereignty.

2005 Diwali-eve bombings:

On October 29, 2005, just two days before Diwali, a series of explosions tore through Paharganj, Sarojini Nagar, and a DTC bus in Govindpuri, killing over 67 people and injuring more than 200. The attacks shook the nation’s festive spirit.

2008 serial blasts:

In September 2008, five near-simultaneous explosions struck Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, and Greater Kailash, killing over 20 people and wounding dozens more.

The blasts once again targeted crowded marketplaces and shopping hubs.

2011 Delhi High Court blast:

The last major terror attack before Monday’s incident occurred outside the Delhi High Court, killing 15 people and injuring 79. A briefcase bomb was later linked to a terror outfit active in the region.

Monday’s blast, just metres away from one of India’s most iconic landmarks, has once again shaken Delhi’s uneasy calm. The Red Fort area, a heritage site drawing thousands of visitors daily, was thrown into chaos as smoke and flames filled the narrow lanes of Old Delhi.

Authorities have placed security forces on high alert, and checks have been intensified at metro stations, markets, and public buildings across the capital.