Red Fort Metro Station Blast: A Look Back at Delhi's History of Bomb Blasts

A powerful explosion near Gate No. 1 of Delhi's Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening caused chaos and panic across the area. The blast was so intense that a part of the car was flung into the nearby Lal Mandir, shattering its glass windows and damaging several nearby shops. Multiple people lost their lives in the explosion.

Soon after the blast, reports emerged of fires breaking out in nearby shops and vehicles. Tremors from the explosion were felt as far as Chandni Chowk's Bhagirath Palace area. Witnesses described confusion and panic, with shopkeepers calling each other to check on the situation. Several buses and private vehicles were also reported to have caught fire.

This is not the first time Delhi has faced such a horrific incident. The national capital has a long and tragic history of bomb blasts that have targeted markets, public places, and historical landmarks.

Timeline of Major Bomb Blasts in Delhi

• May 25, 1996: A bomb exploded in Lajpat Nagar's Central Market, killing at least 16 people.
• October 1, 1997: Two blasts near Sadar Bazaar left around 30 people injured.
• October 10, 1997: Three explosions were reported in Shantivan, Kaudia Pul, and Kingsway Camp, killing one person and injuring around 16.
• October 18, 1997: Twin blasts rocked Rani Bagh Market, killing one person and injuring nearly 23.
• October 26, 1997: Two blasts occurred in Karol Bagh Market, resulting in one death and about 34 injuries.
• November 30, 1997: Twin explosions hit the Red Fort area, killing three and injuring about 70 people.
• December 30, 1997: A bomb inside a bus near Punjabi Bagh killed four and injured nearly 30 others.
• February 27, 2000: A blast in Paharganj injured eight people.
• March 16, 2000: An explosion at Sadar Bazaar left seven injured.
• June 18, 2000: Two powerful blasts occurred near Red Fort, killing two and injuring several others.
• May 22, 2005: Explosions in Liberty and Satyam cinema halls killed one and injured about 60.
• October 29, 2005: Three coordinated blasts struck Sarojini Nagar, Paharganj, and Govindpuri, killing around 59 to 62 people and injuring more than 100.
• April 14, 2006: Two explosions occurred inside Jama Masjid, injuring at least 14 people.
• September 13, 2008: Five coordinated blasts hit Karol Bagh's Gaffar Market, Connaught Place, and Greater Kailash-I, killing 20 to 30 people and injuring over 90.
• September 27, 2008: A blast at Mehrauli's flower market killed three and injured 23 others.
• May 25, 2011: A minor explosion occurred in the Delhi High Court parking area, with no reported casualties.

Delhi's repeated tryst with bomb explosions over the past decades has exposed the city's vulnerability to coordinated terror attacks. The latest Red Fort Metro Station explosion serves as a grim reminder of the capital's fraught history with such acts of violence and the urgent need to revisit urban security preparedness.