Haunting silence pierced through the sound of the havoc, police sirens, ambulances, and barricades outside the Lok Nayak hospital in Delhi on Tuesday afternoon, hours after the spine-shocking blast ripped through the capital on Monday night, killing at least 13 individuals, severely injuring others, and leaving the country in fear and horror.
Amidst the police jeeps standing in every nook and corner of the area, behind the checkpoints sits Khairun Nisa, whose husband, Farooq (55), is admitted to the emergency ward. He was off for work when the blast took place and injured his leg, as told by Khairun to FoEJ Media.
Khairun has not seen her husband ever since last night. Khairun and Farooq have one daughter who is married, and the news of her father’s injury devastated her.
Next to Khairun stands Aamir, whose kin is in the emergency ward; he stands with his family, praying to God for the survivor’s speedy recovery.
“My kin had gone to buy spare parts for his shop, but he never came back; he turned black and got injured in it. Now he’s better than before,” he told FoEJ Media.
A few steps away sits Salender, who has come to attend to his nephew Shiva Jaiswal (27).
Shiva was on his way to Chandni Chowk on the night of the blast, assuring his family he would return within an hour. When news of the explosion broke, his worried relatives repeatedly tried to reach him, but their calls went unanswered. It was only through live television coverage that the family learned Shiva had been critically injured and rushed to the hospital.
“Shiva’s hair got burned, his hand is fractured, his face is burned, and his back is broken,” Salender told FoEJ Media.
“But we would like to say one more thing—the hospital guards should be trained on how to handle such situations. These are not ordinary patients; they are victims of a blast. They should show some condolence, some empathy. They were talking so rudely,” he added.
An eyewitness describes the blast as “the most horrific incident of their life” and claims that they “saw torn legs, hands, and necks” of the people who had lost their lives.
“When the explosion happened, the sound was so loud that the whole sky turned red. We saw with our own eyes people’s hands, legs, and necks lying on the ground,” he said.
Investigations have linked Monday evening’s deadly attack to the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)—the same organization responsible for the 2019 Pulwama attack.
The bomb, containing an ammonium nitrate fuel oil mixture, had been concealed inside a Hyundai i20 parked near the Red Fort Metro Station. The explosion occurred as the car approached a traffic signal at low speed.
Political leaders across the nation have extended their condolences and vowed to take strict action against the perpetrators.
“The event was very unfortunate. I have personally met the injured survivors; they are recovering, and we pray for their speedy recovery. The culprit will be identified soon, and they will be given extraordinary punishments,” Chandni Chowk MP Praveen Khandewal said while talking to FoEJ Media.
“This is not a failure of the government—it was an incident, and the government immediately sprang into action and provided medical assistance. We and government officials remain fully engaged in ensuring the injured receive care and comfort,” he added.
“May the injured recover at the earliest. Those affected are being assisted by authorities. Reviewed the situation with Home Minister Amit Shah Ji and other officials,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X.
“This evening, around 7 p.m., a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi. The blast injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles. Preliminary reports indicate that fatalities have occurred,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah said while talking to ANI.
“It is difficult to say what caused the incident. Until the samples recovered from the blast site are analyzed by forensic authorities and NSG, we can’t say anything. But we are not ruling out anything and are investigating the matter from all angles,” he said, and the Indian Express reported.
“Everyone involved in this act will face the full wrath of our agencies,” he said on X.
“This incident is extremely distressing and alarming. My deepest sympathies are with those who lost their loved ones,” Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on X.
“I convey my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the blast that has taken place in Delhi. I pray for the quick recovery of those injured,” President Droupadi Murmu said.
The devastating blast has elicited heartfelt condolences and strong messages of solidarity from around the world as well. Global leaders have expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and extended their support to India in its fight against terrorism.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said, “I am in deep sorrow to learn that many precious lives were lost in the explosion that occurred in Delhi, India. On behalf of the government and people of Japan, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the victims and their bereaved families. I also offer my sincere prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.”
Chinese Ambassador, Xu Feihong, said, “Saddened by the explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort metro station. My deepest condolences to the victims, and my thoughts are with everyone affected.”
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said, “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives… Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and good wishes for swift recovery of the injured.”
Monday’s Blast in Delhi Ended a Long Stretch of Relative Peace in the Capital
As reported by the Indian Express, Monday’s blast in Delhi ended a long stretch of relative peace in the capital, which has largely escaped major terror attacks in recent years. The city’s last significant incident occurred in February 2012, when a bomb exploded near the Israeli embassy. Before that, between 2005 and 2011, Delhi experienced multiple attacks targeting crowded public spaces, including Connaught Place and Sarojini Nagar.
Among the deadliest was the September 2011 blast at the Delhi High Court’s reception, which killed 15 people and left more than 100 injured. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is investigating Monday’s attack, had previously identified Hizbul Mujahideen as responsible for that incident, describing it as an attempt to intimidate India’s judiciary.
