Red Fort blast: High alert in Delhi and Mumbai, tough surveillance in UP

Following the deadly explosion outside Delhi's Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening, a high alert across the national capital has been sounded. India's commercial capital Mumbai, too, has been placed on heightened vigilance following the blast in Delhi. According to reports, at least eight people have died, injuring 24 others.

The blast in Delhi has prompted authorities in several cities and states, including Kolkata, Dehradun, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, to declare alert and intensify security measures.

Kolkata has been placed on high alert, with police activating all units and initiating security checks across the city.

The Delhi Police, its specialised squads, and the National Security Guard (NSG), have rushed to cordon off the scene and secure the surrounding ChandniChowk market area.

In the wake of the Red Fort blast, neighbouring Uttar Pradesh has also been placed on an alert, with security forces deployed across the state and vehicles being thoroughly checked in multiple cities following a directive from CM Adityanath.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Uttar Pradesh ADG Law and Order, Amitabh Yash said that the DGP has issued instructions to all senior officials in Uttar Pradesh to increase security at sensitive religious sites, sensitive districts, and border areas. All security agencies have also been alerted. Police in all districts of Uttar Pradesh have been put on alert. An order was issued from Lucknow to increase patrols and checks in sensitive areas.

Eight people have been killed while 24 others are injured in the powerful explosion in a car near Gate No 1 of Delhi's Red Fort Metro Station. Forensic experts are examining the site, and the entire area around the Red Fort has been completely cordoned off.

While the cause of the explosion is being investigated, it comes on a day police busted an interstate terror module linked to banned organisations and recovered over 2,900 kilograms of suspected ammonium nitrate, a chemical used in making explosives.

Officials had said the terror module planned to terrorise Delhi using hundreds of powerful IEDs made from the seized material.

The Delhi Fire Department received a call about the explosion at around 6:55 pm and rushed seven fire tenders and 15 CAT ambulances to the spot near Red Fort (Lal Quila). Nearby vehicles caught fire after the explosiuon, all of which were later doused.

- Ends