English
English
English
Intelligence inputs indicate that suspected sleeper cells linked to LeT may attempt to plant an improvised explosive device (IED) in a crowded area near the main gate of the historic Red Fort.
IED threat in Chandni Chowk near Red Fort
New Delhi: The security agencies have issued a high alert in the National Capital following intelligence inputs warning of a possible terror threat near the Red Fort. According to sources the terrorists may target a temple in the Chandni Chowk area suggesting that the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) may be planning a major attack in Delhi.
IED Threat In Chandni Chowk
Intelligence inputs indicate that suspected sleeper cells linked to LeT may attempt to plant an improvised explosive device (IED) in a crowded area near the main gate of the historic Red Fort. The 17th-century monument, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has previously been targeted by terrorists, including a deadly attack in December 2000.
The intelligence sources said, "Terrorists may target a temple in Chandni Chowk in Delhi. Lashkar-e-Taiba is plotting an IED attack...They are planning a major terrorist attack in India to avenge the February 6th mosque blast in Islamabad, Pakistan. Major temples in the country can be targeted by Lashkar-e-Taiba." In
November 2025 Attack
Officials also referred to a November 2025 explosion near a metro station in the vicinity of the Red Fort that left multiple casualties. The case was registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), with investigators terming it a terrorist incident.
Sources further claim that LeT operatives, allegedly backed by elements of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), may be attempting to route high-intensity IEDs through criminal networks in northern India. These explosive devices can reportedly be concealed in vehicles or bags, making detection more challenging.
Keeping in view the high alert, Delhi Police has significantly enhanced security arrangements. Personnel from the National Security Guard (NSG), bomb disposal squads, sniffer dogs, and AI-enabled facial recognition systems have been deployed across sensitive zones. Metro stations, railway hubs, and major marketplaces are also under strict surveillance.
Chandni Chowk Religious Places Under Watch
The alert reportedly highlights temples in the bustling Chandni Chowk area as potential targets. Located close to the Red Fort, Chandni Chowk is home to prominent religious landmarks such as the Digambar Jain Temple, Gauri Shankar Temple, and Sis Ganj Gurudwara. These sites attract thousands of devotees and visitors daily, raising concerns about the potential for large-scale casualties in the event of an attack.
