NEW DELHI, November 11, 2025 – The national capital remains under an unprecedented security blanket as the fallout from the high-intensity car explosion near the Red Fort Metro Station continues to escalate. The death toll from the Monday evening blast has tragically climbed to 13, with at least seven victims now formally identified amidst a massive recovery and investigation effort.
In a significant move, the Union Government has directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the case, confirming the high priority and suspected terror angle of the attack.
The Rising Toll and Identified Victims
The explosion, which occurred at approximately 6:52 PM in a slow-moving Hyundai i20 at the Subhash Marg traffic signal, left a scene of devastation, scattering body parts up to 100 meters away.
Key Updates on Casualties:
- Death Toll: LNJP Hospital officials confirmed the death toll has risen to 13 individuals, with many of the injured still in critical condition.
- Identifications: While several bodies were dismembered or charred, authorities have successfully identified seven of the deceased and are working to match other human remains. Among those identified so far are 34-year-old Ashok Kumar (from Amroha, UP) and 35-year-old Amar Kataria (a Delhi resident). The extensive list of casualties includes residents from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
- Victim Demographics: The tragedy claimed the lives of both the car’s occupants and innocent pedestrians/commuters caught in the blast radius.
NIA Takes Over: Fidayeen Attack Suspected
The probe has moved swiftly beyond local police to the national anti-terror agency, with the NIA registering a formal case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosives Act.
Focus of the Probe:
- Terror Links: Investigators are probing a strong link between the blast and a major “white-collar” terror module busted in Faridabad, Haryana, just hours before the explosion. Over 350 kg of explosive material (suspected Ammonium Nitrate) and arms were seized in the earlier operation.
- Suicide Attack Angle: Initial Delhi Police sources suggest the explosion was a ‘Fidayeen’ (suicide) attack. The primary suspect is believed to be Dr. Umar, a resident of Pulwama, J&K, who was allegedly inside the vehicle and may have detonated the device after learning his associates in the terror module had been arrested. Authorities are using DNA analysis to confirm the identity of the car’s occupants.
- PM’s Response: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation, vowing that the conspirators behind the attack “will not be spared” and that a swift, thorough investigation would ensure justice.
The Red Fort area has been entirely cordoned off, with the site shut down for forensic analysis by teams from the NIA and NSG. Security has been ramped up nationwide, signaling that the authorities are treating this as a massive, coordinated security threat following one of the deadliest attacks in the capital in years.
