New Delhi: A car explosion near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening caused widespread panic. The force of the blast was so intense that a part of the car landed on the Lal Mandir, located near the Red Fort. The temple’s glass shattered, and doors and windows of several nearby shops were damaged. Several people were reported injured in the incident.

Immediately after the blast, fires were reported in nearby shops. Tremors were felt as far as the Bhagirath Palace area of ​​Chandni Chowk, and shopkeepers were seen calling each other to inquire about the situation. Several buses and other vehicles were also reported to have caught fire.

The fire department received a call about the car explosion in the evening. Following this, it immediately dispatched six ambulances and seven fire tenders to the scene. Relief and rescue operations are underway, and efforts are underway to control the fire.

The cause of the explosion is still unknown. Police have cordoned off the area, and investigating agencies are gathering evidence at the scene. Initial reports suggest the explosion occurred in a car, but its nature and cause are still unclear. Security has been increased throughout the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk areas following the incident.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday directed officials to ensure world-class facilities and a state-of-the-art integrated AI-based security system for devotees visiting Jyotirlinga shrines in the state.

During a meeting held at Varsha, his official residence, Fadnavis reviewed the development plans for the Bhimashankar Temple in Pune district, Aundha Nagnath Temple in Hingoli, and Grishneshwar Temple in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

“Jyotirlinga temples attract a large number of devotees throughout the year. Therefore, the development plans should be comprehensive and focused on creating excellent facilities and ensuring security,” he said.

The chief minister instructed officials to accelerate ongoing works and plan new ones effectively.

“An advanced, AI-based integrated security system should be developed to safeguard devotees and provide an immediate response during emergencies,” he said.

Fadnavis further said that facilities such as waiting halls, drinking water, accommodation, internal roads, cleanliness measures, information boards, tourist facilitation centres, parking management, emergency response systems, health facilities and eateries should be strengthened.

He emphasised that temple managements follow strict norms and residents and administrative bodies should be involved in planning and execution.

“Tourism projects that promote environmental conservation and local employment must be implemented quickly,” he said.

The chief minister said that the development plans presented at the meeting will receive funding after approval by a high-level committee, and he asked officials to organise a separate meeting with the Central government to secure clearances from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Thane: A man was stabbed to death in Dombivali in Thane district during an altercation after he accidentally brushed against another person, a police official said on Monday.

The incident took place in a hotel in the early hours of Sunday in MIDC Phase 1 area, the Manpada police station official said.

“Akash Bhanu Singh (38) and his friends were having dinner at the hotel when he accidentally brushed against the accused, who picked up a fight. He along with some others stabbed Singh to death. Two of Singh’s friends, who tried to save him, also sustained injuries and have been hospitalised,” the official said.

Four persons were booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections for murder and other offences, though no arrest has been made, he said.