Delhi was shaken 20 years ago as well… 60 lives were lost in blast, same scene resurfaced in front of Red Fort

Delhi was shaken 20 years ago as well:   The national capital, Delhi, has once again been rocked by explosions. This incident occurred near Gate No. 1 of the metro station near the Red Fort. A powerful explosion occurred in a parked car, causing panic throughout the area. The car caught fire immediately after the explosion, engulfing two other nearby cars. So far, 10 people have been reported dead in this powerful explosion.

More than 30 people have been injured in the accident and have been admitted to LNJP Hospital.

Also Read: Delhi Blast: Explosion near Red Fort Metro Station, 90,000 people visit this station daily

The incident shook the entire area, and brought back memories of 20 years ago when three explosions occurred in different areas of the national capital.

Police and fire brigade teams rushed to the scene as soon as the incident was reported. Monday's incident in Delhi brought back memories of the Delhi serial blasts of 20 years ago, when multiple bomb blasts killed 60 people.

October 29, 2005

October 29, 2005… Diwali was just around the corner. Delhi's markets were even more vibrant than usual. People in Sarojini Nagar, Paharganj, Karol Bagh, and other markets were busy buying new clothes, decorations, and sweets. Dhanteras also fell on the same day, so every shop was crowded. Smiles were on everyone's faces, homes were brimming with joy, and Delhi was ablaze with excitement. But little did anyone know that this joyous day would soon turn into a painful memory.

First Blast

Location: Paharganj, Nehru Market

Time: 5:38 PM

At around 5:38 PM, the sound of the first explosion shook the capital. A powerful explosion suddenly ripped through the crowded Nehru Market in Paharganj. The screams of bystanders, shopkeepers, and customers echoed throughout. Shop windows shattered, creating chaos on the street, and many people were injured or killed in an instant. The festive hustle and bustle suddenly turned into panic.

Second Blast:

Location: Second Blast on DTC Bus

Time: 5:52 PM

 A few minutes after the first explosion, a second explosion occurred on a DTC bus on the outer ring road in the Okhla-Govindpuri area. There were about 50 people on board. The bus conductor noticed a suspicious bag under the seat and immediately alerted the driver. Driver Kuldeep Singh, risking his life, tried to throw the bag out. At that moment, the explosion occurred.

Kuldeep suffered severe burns and lost his sight in one eye in the explosion, but his bravery saved many from death that day. This incident on a festive evening was deeply horrifying.

Third Blast:

Location: Sarojini Nagar

Time: 5:56 PM

Just four minutes later, at 5:56 PM, the third and most devastating explosion occurred in Sarojini Nagar. This area is considered one of Delhi's most crowded markets during the festival. A bag left near juice and chaat shops suddenly exploded. A fire broke out in an instant, sending panic through the shops, and people running and screaming. Cracks appeared in nearby buildings. The fire from the explosion engulfed gas cylinders, further spreading the fire.

37 people lost their lives in this market alone. The injured were taken to Safdarjung and AIIMS hospitals. Blood on the streets, broken shops, and weeping people—the scene still sends shivers down memory lane.

Who was behind this tragedy?

An investigation revealed that the blasts were carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists. Five people were tried. Later, the court acquitted two and convicted one. Kuldeep Singh, the brave DTC bus driver, said that he would always regret two things: first, that not all the culprits were punished, and second, that he could not see his child's face at birth, as he was in the hospital between life and death.

Also Read: Delhi Car Blast: Panic in Delhi due to blast near Red Fort, high alert issued

Those screaming faces still haunt Delhiites.

Remembering that evening still brings shudders to mind. Diwali, the festival of joy and light, brought darkness and mourning to many homes that year. For the families who lost loved ones, this day always brings back painful memories. That Dhanteras of 2005 is no longer just a date, but the dark shadow of terrorism, which had drowned the festival of lights in the shadow of blood and screams and pain