Ashok worked two jobs to support his wife, four children, and ailing brother. His family in Amroha and Delhi is shattered after the tragic explosion.
DTC Conductor Who Worked Day And Night Dies In Blast
Ashok Kumar’s family still can’t believe what happened on Monday evening near Delhi’s Red Fort. The 42-year-old, who worked as a bus conductor with the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), was one of the nine people killed in the car explosion that shook Old Delhi.
A native of Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, Ashok had moved to Delhi years ago to support his large family. He lived in Jagatpur with his wife and four children — three daughters and a son. His elderly mother stayed back in the village with his elder brother, who has been unwell for years.
“He was the only one earning,” said his cousin Pappu, visibly shaken while speaking outside LNJP Hospital, where victims were taken. “He worked as a conductor during the day and as a security guard at night. He barely slept, just to make sure everyone at home had food.”
Read More :- Delhi Red Fort Blast: 8 Killed, 24 Injured; Mumbai, UP, and Rajasthan on High Alert
“We Saw His Name On The Victim List”
Pappu recalled the moment he realized his cousin was among the victims. “I saw his name in the list and froze. I called everyone to confirm. His bike is still missing,” he said.
Ashok was last seen near Old Delhi, close to the blast site. Family members believe he might have been returning home after work or heading to meet someone, as he usually passed through that route.
The Red Fort Blast: What Happened
The explosion occurred around 6:52 pm near the Red Fort Metro Station (Gate 1). A Hyundai i20 car with a Haryana registration number exploded while idling in traffic. The blast was powerful enough to destroy nearby vehicles and left nine people dead and twenty injured.
Eyewitness videos captured the moment — a loud boom, followed by panic and people running for safety. Police and forensic teams quickly sealed the area.
Investigators have since confirmed that the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) has been invoked, treating the case as a suspected terror attack. Sources said intelligence inputs and forensic samples suggest the use of high-grade explosives.
Adding to the tension, authorities in Haryana discovered 2,900 kg of explosives in a Faridabad warehouse just 50 km away on the same day.
A Family Left Devastated
Back in Amroha, Ashok’s mother, Somwati, has been inconsolable. “He took care of all of us,” said a neighbour. “Even when he didn’t have much, he never complained.”
Ashok’s wife now faces the unimaginable task of raising four children alone. “He would always say, ‘I just want my kids to study well and live better than me,’” recalled a close friend.
Another Victim: Pharmacist Amar Kataria
Among the others killed was 34-year-old Amar Kataria, a pharmaceutical businessman from Sriniwaspuri. He had just shut his pharmacy at Bhagirath Palace and was heading home when the blast occurred. His father, seen outside LNJP Hospital, broke down as officials confirmed his son’s death.
The Investigation Continues
Delhi Police and central agencies are working together to trace the source of the car and the explosives. While no group has claimed responsibility yet, officers suspect a coordinated plan given the timing and scale.
Security has been tightened across the national capital region, with alerts issued to Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana.
A City In Shock
For Delhiites, the Red Fort blast is a grim reminder of how fragile everyday life can be. Ordinary people like Ashok Kumar — a hardworking man doing double shifts to feed his family — became victims of a tragedy they never saw coming.
The investigation is ongoing, but for Ashok’s family, the loss is permanent.
