NEW DELHI (News Desk): At least five people were killed in a powerful explosion near the historic Red Fort in India’s capital, New Delhi, on Monday, according to local television reports.
Dramatic visuals aired on Indian media showed flames and thick smoke rising from several vehicles on a crowded street near a metro station in the old part of the city.
NDTV reported that the blast occurred inside a car close to the Red Fort, while fire brigade teams rushed to the spot to control the blaze. The Times of India added that the fire spread rapidly, engulfing three to four other nearby vehicles.
In the wake of the incident, authorities placed New Delhi and Mumbai on high alert, amid fears of further attacks.
The explosion came hours after Indian media reported a major seizure of bomb-making materials in the state of Haryana, where officials claimed to have recovered nearly 2,900 kilograms of explosive components.
“Officials confirmed that 360kg of suspected ammonium nitrate, along with 2,900kg of IED-making material — including chemicals, detonators, and wires — were confiscated,” The Times of India reported, citing law enforcement sources. Two suspects were taken into custody.
The Red Fort, locally known as Lal Qila, is a 17th-century Mughal landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage site that attracts thousands of visitors every year. Security forces have cordoned off the area as investigations into the cause of the explosion continue.
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