A massive explosion rocked the area around Red Fort Metro Station Gate No. 1, near Gaurishankar temple in New Delhi on November 10, instantly recalling memories of past attacks on the iconic Indian monument.
With this major incident occurring near the Red Fort, also known as Lal Qila, in Old Delhi, it is crucial to revisit the moments the historic landmark has been targeted.
Two militants affiliated to Pakistani terrorist group, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), entered the fort premises, which was then controlled by the Indian Army, and opened indiscriminate fire.
Three people were killed including two Indian Army jawans (soldiers) and one civilian security guard.
This attack was widely condemned as an attempt to derail India-Pakistan peace efforts and highlighted the fort's continuing significance as a national symbol.
The main suspect, Arif, was arrested three days later, located using call records and the weapons recovered from the attack.
After nearly 24 years since the Red Fort attack, convicted Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Arif's last legal recourse ended on June 12 when President Droupadi Murmu rejected his mercy petition.
During a tractor rally by protesting farmers, a group deviated from the agreed route, breached the fort's security, and entered the complex. Protestors climbed the ramparts and hoisted religious flags on a flagpole near the main mast.
The fort sustained some damage, and the incident led to clashes with the police, causing significant public outrage and legal action.
Over 300 police officers were injured in the incident, according to reports.
Following the violence, approximately 160 people were arrested and 54 legal cases were registered.
One particularly significant case, FIR 96 of 2021, resulted in a massive, 3,000-page charge sheet filed in May 2021.
The FIR was initiated by a police inspector who alleged that protesters had attacked police officers using weapons such as pistols and swords.
Sixteen individuals were charged in this case with numerous serious offenses, including attempt to murder, rioting with deadly weapons, and sections under the Arms Act, Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, and the Epidemic Diseases Act.
All 16 accused were arrested between February and March. However, by the time the charge sheet was filed, 13 of them had been released on bail.
The charge sheet also named seven other individuals against whom non-bailable warrants had been issued.
A massive explosion outside Red Fort Metro Station Gate No. 1, near Gaurishankar temple in New Delhi, triggered panic in the area.
The explosion reportedly occurred in a car parked near the Red Fort area.
An investigation is underway to ascertain the exact cause of the blast. Sources confirm that officials have not ruled out the terror angle. Police sources have confirmed that CNG cylinder has caused the blast.
The explosion happened in a slow moving vehicle (i20 car) and because of the blast, the nearby vehicles caught fire, Delhi police said.
Teams from the NIA, NSG, Delhi Police Special Cell, and the Delhi Police Crime Branch were rushed to the spot immediately after the incident.
Delhi NCR has been put on high alert following the explosion.
NIA teams are conducting chemical analysis of the material suspected of being used in the explosion.
Security has been heightened in major Indian cities following the explosion.
