NEW DELHI: A powerful explosion occurred near the Red Fort on Monday evening, resulting in the deaths of at least nine people and injuring over 20 others. The blast, which took place around 6:52 PM at the Subhash Marg traffic signal, originated from a white Hyundai i20 that had been parked for over two hours. The vehicle, registered under Dr Umar Mohammad, is now linked to the incident, with authorities suspecting him to be the suicide bomber.

CCTV footage shows the car entering the parking lot, with the driver’s hand visible on the window. Investigators believe Dr Mohammad was inside the vehicle at the time of the explosion. Eyewitnesses reported that the blast was so powerful it shattered windows in nearby homes, and flames engulfed several other vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and e-rickshaws.

The explosion caused panic among evening commuters in the busy area, which is close to major landmarks like Jama Masjid and the Old Delhi railway station. A police officer noted, "The casualties were high because the road has bumper-to-bumper traffic at that hour."

Delhi Police, along with the Special Cell, NIA, and Forensic Science Laboratory, responded quickly to the scene. Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that teams arrived within minutes to investigate the incident. A case has been registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and other relevant laws.

Forensic teams are currently examining debris for clues, and investigators are reviewing over 100 CCTV clips to trace the car's movements. The vehicle was initially registered to Dr Mohammad, who is believed to have worked in the medical field. Authorities are also looking into potential links to extremist networks and a foiled terror plot in Faridabad earlier that day, where explosives were seized.

This incident marks a significant security breach near the Red Fort, raising concerns ahead of the upcoming winter session of Parliament. Security measures have been heightened around key locations in the capital as investigations continue.