Hafiz Saeed, founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, whose group’s recent threats have renewed security concerns following the Red Fort blast in Delhi (Photo: File)
A devastating explosion near the Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi on Monday evening left at least eight people dead and two dozen injured, plunging the capital into panic.
The blast coincided with intelligence inputs about renewed terror threats, including a video from a Lashkar-e-Taiba commander based in Bangladesh warning of imminent attacks on India. The attack has reignited debate nationwide over how deeply extremist networks have infiltrated civilian and professional circles.
The blast occurred at 6:45 p.m. near the Red Fort Metro Station's Gate No. 1, one of the busiest heritage zones in the city. The impact gutted several vehicles as the flames soon spread to nearby autos and cars. Witnesses explained the scene as chaotic, when a lot of panic stricken commuters and tourists ran for safety amidst the spread of smoke and debris.
Delhi Fire Services officials confirmed that the fire was doused at 7:29 p.m. by ten fire tenders being put into service. Preliminary reports suggest the blast originated from a car packed with explosives, though investigations are still underway.
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Hafiz Muhammad Saeed is a Pakistani militant and religious preacher convicted of terrorism. He co-founded Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan based Islamist militant organization that is designated as a terrorist group by the United Nations Security Council, India, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia and Russia.
Earlier in the day, security agencies said that eight suspects, including three doctors, were arrested after nearly 2,900 kilograms of explosives were seized across Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
The seized material has been identified as ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and sulphur, according to officials who declared that it was seized during a 15-day joint operation by state police forces and central intelligence units. They added the group was part of a sophisticated white-collar terror module linked to both JeM and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH).
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Those arrested included Dr. Muzammil Ganaie from Kashmir, whose hired accommodation in Faridabad housed about 360 kilograms of highly inflammable chemicals along with arms and ammunition.
Another accused, Dr. Shaheen from Lucknow, was taken into custody with an AK-47 rifle recovered from her car. According to investigators, the accused used professional identities and interstate connections to facilitate the movement of explosives without raising suspicion.
As both incidents happened within hours of each other, the security agencies suspect a possible link between the Red Fort explosion and the Faridabad arms cache. The NIA has joined the probe with support from forensic teams and counterterror units. Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities have been put on high alert.
The Prime Minister and Home Minister are reviewing the situation, emphasizing the need for increased coordination among law enforcement agencies to fight new terror tactics.
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Disclaimer: All details are based on official police and government reports. Readers should follow verified sources for confirmed investigation updates.
