A year after deadly Red Fort blast, survivors and families continue to bear the scars

NEW DELHI, India: A year after a powerful car blast near Delhi’s historic Red Fort killed 11 people, the physical, emotional and financial consequences continue to weigh on survivors, bereaved families and local traders, even as authorities strengthen security around the site.

The explosion on November 10, 2025, shook the national capital and left families struggling to come to terms with sudden losses. For some, the tragedy meant losing their sole breadwinner; for others, it left loved ones with life-altering injuries. In the nearby markets, traders who witnessed the explosion say the scenes of shattered glass, thick smoke and people running for safety remain difficult to forget.

On the first anniversary of the blast, security arrangements around the Red Fort have been stepped up, with police increasing surveillance and making anti-sabotage checks a regular part of their security measures.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Niharika Bhatt said the number of CCTV cameras in the area had been considerably increased to ensure wider surveillance coverage. She added that police and dog squad checks were now conducted regularly, while the private management of the parking area near the Red Fort had also increased the number of security guards.

“There is coordination between the parking management and the local police. If any suspicious vehicle or person is noticed, the police are immediately informed, and the police then verify the matter,” Bhatt said.

But for those who lost family members or suffered serious injuries, the passage of a year has done little to ease the impact of the explosion.

Ankur, who had travelled from Shahdara to offer prayers at Gauri Shankar Temple, was seriously injured in the blast. His father said his son has since lost both his sight and hearing, leaving the family to cope with the lasting consequences of the incident.

For Ankur’s family, the aftermath has been marked by the challenges of living with injuries that have fundamentally changed his life. While security arrangements around the blast site have changed, the family continues to deal with the personal consequences of that day.

Ram Balak Sahni, whose son Pankaj was killed in the explosion, recalled how he learnt about the blast and began desperately trying to contact him.

Pankaj had left home with a passenger and dropped them off in Old Delhi before heading out to pick up another passenger. Sahni believes his son was inside his vehicle when the explosion occurred in an adjacent vehicle.

“I immediately remembered that Pankaj had gone out, so I tried to reach him to find out where he was. I called him repeatedly. I grew increasingly anxious…remembering it brings everything back—the sheer terror of what happened so suddenly,” Sahni said.

He recalled learning about the explosion after a video appeared on someone’s mobile phone, reporting that a bomb had gone off. The news immediately made him fear for his son, who had been working in the area.

The blast also killed Mohsin Malik, who lived in Delhi with his wife and two children. He was the sole earning member of the family, leaving his dependants to face the loss of both a loved one and their primary source of income.

Mohsin’s brother Wasim said the family continued to mourn his death and was finding it difficult to cope with the loss. Speaking over the phone, he alleged that apart from the assistance provided by the government following the explosion, no one had come forward to enquire about the family’s condition.

For the family, the consequences have extended beyond the immediate grief of losing Mohsin. His death has left his wife and two children without the person who had supported them financially, adding to the difficulties of rebuilding their lives after the tragedy.

The explosion also affected businesses in Old Lajpat Rai Market, situated near the Red Fort. Traders said the blast caused panic across the area, with people rushing to escape as smoke spread and glass from nearby structures shattered.

Shopkeeper Joginder Singh, who was present in the market when the explosion took place, recalled the fear and confusion that followed. He said the force of the blast shattered glass panes at the nearby Metro station, while smoke filled the surroundings.

“When I remember that day, I feel a bit shaken. The moment the blast occurred, glass panes of the Metro station shattered, and there was smoke all over. Now, security has increased in the area, and people are more aware, too,” Singh said.

The anniversary has brought renewed attention to both the security of one of Delhi’s prominent public areas and the experiences of people directly affected by the attack. While police say surveillance, security personnel and checks have been strengthened, the families of those killed and injured continue to deal with the consequences.

For survivors, relatives and traders, the anniversary is not simply a reminder of an attack on the capital. It is also a reminder of the lives lost, families left behind and the ordinary routines that were disrupted in an instant. A year on, the security arrangements may have changed, but for those who lived through the blast, its impact remains part of everyday life.