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Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat among states on high alert after Red Fort car blast
Delhi was also immediately put on a high alert after the deadly explosion in a car near Red Fort, cause of which is yet to be ascertained.
Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand are among the states that have been put on alert after the blast in a car near Gate No 1 of the Red Fort or Lal Quila Metro station in Delhi that killed at least eight people and left several others injured on Monday evening. All railway stations have also been placed under a precautionary alert.
Delhi was also immediately put on a high alert after the explosion, cause of which is yet to be ascertained. Track Red Fort blast live updates
Bihar, Kerala, Chandigarh and Haryana were also placed under high alert.
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,” ANI quoted ADG Amitabh Yash as saying.
In Gujarat, all police units in were asked to remain alert and increase patrolling as a precautionary measure in view of the Red Fort car explosion. Rajasthan DGP Rajeev Sharma said an advisory has been issued to all the district SPs and DCPs after a meeting following the blast in Delhi. "They have been directed to keep any crowded area such as bus stands, railway stations, shopping malls, religious places on high alert," DGP Sharma said.
Uttarakhand ADG (Intelligence and Security) Abhinav Kumar said that an alert has been issued across the state following the Red Fort car explosion, ANI reported. He stated that police chiefs of all thirteen districts have been instructed to maintain heightened vigilance in their respective areas.
Red Fort car blast
The Delhi Fire Department said it received a call regarding the blast in a car parked near the Lal Quila Metro Station Gate No 1 at around 7:05 pm on Monday.
The Red Fort is situated in the Old Delhi area, near Chandni Chowk, a very busy shopping place which sees heavier footfall during the festive and wedding seasons.
Several fire engines rushed to the scene after the blast, videos and images of which showed vehicles engulfed and panic on the road.
Witnesses said body parts could be seen scattered near the site of the explosion which was heard even at ITO, which is a few kilometres away.
The fire, officials said, was brought under control by 7.29 pm.
"Six cars, two e-rickshaws and one autorickshaw were gutted in the fire," PTI news agency quoted a fire department official.
A team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had reportedly reached the spot.
