A high-intensity car explosion rocked central Delhi on Monday evening, November 10, 2025, near the Lal Quila (Red Fort) metro station, leading to at least eight fatalities and several injuries. The blast, which occurred in a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car around 7 p.m., also triggered a fire that damaged multiple vehicles parked nearby.
The Delhi Fire Services swiftly responded to the scene, deploying twenty fire engines, while police cordoned off the area. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with loud explosions, vehicles engulfed in flames, and people running for safety. One witness, Om Prakash Gupta, reported seeing "several vehicles on fire, body parts all over" after rushing out of his home. Injuries were reported to at least 19 people, who are being treated at a government hospital, including LNJP Hospital.
Following the incident, the Government of India placed several Indian states on high alert, with security being immediately tightened in Delhi, neighboring Uttar Pradesh, and other regions. Delhi's international airport, metro stations, and government buildings were also put on high security alert. Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that "all possibilities are being explored and a thorough investigation will be conducted, taking all options into account." Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the situation with Home Minister Amit Shah and senior officials, expressing condolences to the bereaved families and assuring assistance to the injured.
The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi issued a security alert for its citizens, advising them to avoid the areas surrounding the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk, monitor local media, and be aware of their surroundings. The Chandni Chowk market association announced that shops would remain closed on Tuesday, November 11, due to fear among traders following the blast.
In other significant national news, Karnataka has become the first Indian state to introduce paid menstrual leave, offering one paid day per month to women employees across both government and private sectors. Separately, the Jammu & Kashmir Police busted an "inter-state and transnational terror module," arresting seven individuals and seizing a substantial amount of IED-making material. The Supreme Court also made notable observations regarding women's representation in Parliament, describing women as the "largest minority" in India, and took a suo motu case on recent highway accidents that claimed nearly 40 lives. The Finance Ministry also commenced pre-Budget consultations for the Union Budget 2026-27, gathering inputs from top economists on key topics such as job creation and manufacturing growth.