List Of Deadly Blasts In India’s Capital Delhi That Shook The Nation | A Look Back At Its History

List of Deadly Blasts in Delhi in History: The horrific car explosion in Delhi near the Red Fort Metro Station on 10 November 2025 once again deepened the scars of India’s capital city. This high-intensity blast near the historic Mughal-era monument tragically claimed several lives, damaged multiple vehicles and plunged the busy Old Delhi area into chaos and fear. In this horrific blast, almost 10 people died and 24 were injured.

Delhi, India's lively capital and historic centre, carries the scars of a terrible past filled with devastating explosions that have repeatedly tested the resilience and sense of security of the country. These terror attacks, which frequently target crowded public areas, have permanently altered the city's history by turning ordinary moments into tragic recollections.

From the coordinated bombings in Sarojini Nagar and Paharganj to other incidents that shook the National Capital Region, the shadow of violence has loomed large. As per IDSA (Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses) reports, there have been at least 26 major blasts in Delhi since 1997, in which approximately 92 people have died and 600 have been injured. However, each explosion has also been met with an unwavering spirit of defiance, prompting heightened security measures and a collective resolve to overcome adversity and protect the city's democratic and cultural fabric.

Here is the list of times when Delhi faced the biggest and deadliest blasts in the past, from 1985 to now.

1. 10 May 1985 – Delhi’s First Major Bomb Blast

Delhi witnessed its first and deadliest bombing on May 10, 1985, when several explosions happened all over the city at nearly the same time. 49 people were killed and 127 were injured when the bombs, which were concealed inside transistor radios, went off. This was a well-planned attack that had never before occurred in Delhi, causing widespread panic and chaos. Investigations subsequently showed that this act of terror, which targeted public areas to incite widespread panic, was suspected to be carried out by Khalistani militants.

2. 21 May 1996 – Lajpat Nagar Central Market Bombing

One of Delhi's busiest shopping districts, Lajpat Nagar Central Market, saw a powerful bomb explode, leaving 13 people dead and 38 injured. A car bomb was the cause of the explosion, which destroyed several nearby cars and stores. The investigation pointed towards Kashmiri militant groups, particularly members of the Jammu and Kashmir Islamic Front (JKIF), who were later arrested and convicted for their involvement in the attack.

ALSO READ: Delhi Red Fort Blast LIVE Updates: Suspect's Kin Says 'He Hadn't Been Home For Last 2 Months, Wasn't That Kind Of Man'

3. 13 December 2001 – Parliament Attack

On December 13, 2001, one of India's most well-known terror attacks occurred when five armed terrorists broke into the Indian Parliament building in New Delhi. 9 people were killed while valiantly defending the building, including one gardener and six Delhi Police officers, but no Member of parliament was hurt. The terrorist organisations Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), both based in Pakistan, were responsible for the attack. This incident nearly led to war between India and Pakistan.

4. 29 October 2005 – Delhi Diwali Eve Bombings

On October 29, 2005, just two days before Diwali, three coordinated explosions shook Delhi in Paharganj, Sarojini Nagar Market and Govindpuri. The explosions cast a tragic shadow over the holiday season, killing 62 people and injuring 210 more. To maximise casualties, the bombs were positioned in busy marketplaces. Investigations showed that these attacks were carried out by the militant group Islamic Inquilab Mahaz, which is based in Kashmir and is supported by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

5. 13 September 2008 – Delhi Serial Bombings

Five bombs exploded almost all at once at important locations, including Karol Bagh, Connaught Place, and Greater Kailash, on September 13, 2008, triggering Delhi once more. 30 people were killed and one hundred were injured in the explosions. Just minutes before the explosions, the terrorist organisation Indian Mujahideen sent an email claiming responsibility for the attacks. As retaliation for previous incidents in Gujarat and other places, the group claimed that the attacks were carried out.

ALSO READ: Delhi Red Fort Blast: Owners Of Car To Its Route, Know Everything About Hyundai i20 Which Killed 12 | Video

6. 27 September 2008 – Mehrauli Bomb Blast

Just two weeks after the serial blasts, another bomb exploded in Mehrauli's flower market. The explosive was placed close to a busy area, hiding in a tiffin box. 3 people were killed and 23were  injured when the bomb exploded when a young boy attempted to return the box to the two men who had dropped it. The Indian Mujahideen, who had been bombing Indian cities at the time, was once more suspected of committing this act of terror.

7. 7 September 2011 – Delhi High Court Bombing

On September 7, 2011, a briefcase bomb exploded outside the Delhi High Court, close to Gate No. 5, where individuals were awaiting admission passes. 15 people were killed and 79 were injured in this incident, which caused a lot of fear and some injuries. Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI), a terrorist organisation based in Bangladesh, claimed responsibility for the attack. Demanding the release of Afzal Guru, one of the suspects in the 2001 Parliament attack, was purportedly the motivation.