Amit Shah holds another high-level review as NIA takes over Delhi blast case; Red Fort shut for three days: Check traffic curbs issued

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a second high-level security review meeting on Tuesday afternoon at the Ministry of Home Affairs office in Kartavya Bhawan, to assess the situation following the deadly explosion near the Red Fort in Delhi. The meeting began at 3 pm, shortly after an earlier session at his residence in the morning.

Officials said the review focused on the ongoing multi-agency investigation into the blast, which killed eight people and left several others injured on Monday evening. Senior officials, including Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, NIA Director General Sadanand Vasant Date, and Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha, attended the meeting. Jammu and Kashmir DGP Nalin Prabhat joined virtually.

The discussions also covered the recent seizure of explosives in Faridabad and its possible link to the Delhi blast. Shah directed all agencies to maintain close coordination and to submit a detailed report on the nature and source of the explosion.

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Delhi Red Fort Blast: NIA takes charge of the Delhi blast probe

Following the morning review meeting, the Ministry of Home Affairs handed over the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), officially treating it as a possible act of terror. The NIA will now lead the probe, taking over all collected evidence from the Delhi Police and examining potential terror or cross-border connections.

Teams from the NIA and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) revisited the blast site on Tuesday to collect additional evidence and vehicle fragments for testing. Earlier, the National Security Guard (NSG) had joined the post-blast investigation to analyse residue samples.

The explosion, which occurred around 7 pm near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station, ripped through a parked Hyundai i20 car and set off a blaze that damaged several nearby vehicles. Officials confirmed that 13 people were killed in the blast, which is being probed as a possible coordinated attack.

More explosives recovered from Faridabad

As the NIA took charge, Haryana Police and central agencies seized a large cache of explosives from Faridabad and detained two people for questioning. Sources said the materials recovered matched the composition of samples collected at the Delhi blast site.

Both the locations - Red Fort and Faridabad are under forensic examination, with the NSG assisting the NIA in tracing the chemical and electronic components used in the blast.

Red Fort closed for three days

The Red Fort monument has been closed for three days as investigators continue to comb through the area. The decision, taken on security grounds, aims to facilitate evidence collection and prevent public interference in the investigation.

The Lajpat Rai Market opposite the blast site also remained shut, with traders cooperating with police and forensic teams examining debris scattered across nearby shops and vehicles.

President Murmu speaks to Amit Shah on Delhi blast

President Droupadi Murmu spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take stock of the situation following the deadly explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort. Expressing grief over the loss of lives, the President conveyed her condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. She was briefed by Shah on the ongoing multi-agency investigation and the heightened security measures put in place across the national capital.

Traffic curbs and heightened security in Delhi

Delhi Police have imposed traffic restrictions across Old Delhi, diverting vehicles from Netaji Subhash Marg, Chandni Chowk, and nearby areas. Entry to the Red Fort stretch has been barred for civilian movement.

Commuters have been advised to use alternate routes, and metro services through the Lal Quila station remain partially restricted. Additional barricades have been placed around Daryaganj, Jama Masjid, and the Delhi Gate area.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated that “no stone will be left unturned” in tracing those behind the attack. He later briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the investigation’s progress and the steps taken to secure the national capital.