In response to the deadly explosion near the Red Fort in Delhi on Monday, Kerala Police Chief Ravada Azad Chandrashekhar directed the police force to ramp up security measures across the state.

In the wake of the attack, DGP Chandrashekhar has issued directives for heightened security measures, particularly at locations with high foot traffic, such as railway stations, bus stands, and places of worship. The police will carry out stringent checks to ensure public safety. Chandrashekhar also urged citizens to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity or objects immediately to authorities by dialling 112.

The explosion, which occurred around 6.52 pm near the Red Fort traffic signal, has claimed at least nine lives and left 24 people injured. Initial reports suggest that the blast took place in a slow-moving vehicle, causing significant damage to nearby vehicles. Authorities believe that passengers were inside the vehicle at the time of the explosion.

Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha confirmed the fatalities and injuries and stated that the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, is being regularly briefed about the situation. While the cause of the blast remains under investigation, multiple agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guard (NSG), have been deployed to assess the situation.

The blast occurred at a time when the area, particularly around the Red Fort metro station, was crowded with people, increasing the likelihood of casualties. The injured have been rushed to the nearby LNJP Hospital for treatment.

As investigations continue, the police are focusing on identifying the perpetrators behind the blast and ensuring that similar incidents are prevented in the future.