Begin typing your search above and press return to search.
Begin typing your search above and press return to search.
Delhi Blast Explained: The Incident, the Investigation, and the Laws in Motion
A powerful car explosion ripped through a busy area near Delhi’s historic Red Fort on 10 November 2025, unleashing scenes of chaos and devastation in one of India’s most iconic locations. The blast, officially described as a “terror incident” by the government, killed at least 10 to 13 people and injured over 20, leading to an intensive, multi-agency investigation and an immediate tightening of security across the capital and neighboring states. As more details have emerged, the incident has revealed a sophisticated interstate terror plot involving highly educated individuals, massive quantities of explosives, and links stretching from Kashmir to Haryana and Delhi.
The Incident: What Happened
The Investigation so far
Within hours of the blast, Delhi Police declared a high alert, and neighboring states—including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan—followed suit. Airports, railway stations, government buildings, and heritage sites were placed under heightened security. The US embassy in New Delhi issued an advisory urging foreign nationals to avoid crowded locations around the city.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) subsequently took over the probe, classifying the event as a terror attack. As investigators traced leads across multiple states, they uncovered a sophisticated “white collar” terror module linked to the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). The group’s key operatives—primarily young Kashmiri doctors based at Al-Falah University in Faridabad—became central to the case.
The unraveling began on the morning of 10 November, when police recovered 360 kg of ammonium nitrate from the rented accommodation of Dr. Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie at Al-Falah University. Shortly thereafter, Jammu and Kashmir police announced that a total of 2,900 kg of explosives had been seized from in and around the campus. This discovery revealed a large-scale terror plot spanning Kashmir, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh.
The driver of the blast vehicle was identified as 28-year-old Dr. Umar Nabi from Qazigund, South Kashmir. His involvement was confirmed through DNA matching with his mother after investigators found body parts at the site. Officials believe Nabi was assembling a vehicle-based IED after learning its construction from open sources online. On the day of the blast, he drove the Hyundai around Delhi, parked near the Red Fort complex for three hours, and later moved slowly through traffic before the explosion occurred—likely prematurely.
Another key member, Dr. Muzaffar Rather, also associated with Al-Falah University, fled India in August and is believed to be in Afghanistan. Authorities have moved Interpol for a Red Corner Notice against him, citing that the three doctors were in contact with a handler in Pakistan. Investigations also revealed that the trio, along with others, had travelled to Türkiye for 18 days in 2021.
The module expanded beyond the trio, with Dr. Shaheen Sayeed from Lucknow admitting knowledge of the conspiracy and its timing around the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition. Haryana preacher Maulvi Ishtiyaq and former paramedic-turned-preacher Maulvi Irfan Ahmad were also implicated, the latter having played a significant role in radicalizing the core operatives.
So far, eight individuals have been arrested, while three seized cars and recovered weapons—including an AK-56 from the locker of Dr. Adeel Rather—are under examination. Investigators continue to probe whether additional VBIEDs were assembled.
India's Legal Policy Framework
Under this Act, causing an explosion likely to endanger life or property is punishable with imprisonment that may extend to life or up to ten years. Sections dealing with possession of explosive substances with intent to endanger life carry penalties up to twenty years. Suspicious possession alone can result in imprisonment of up to fourteen years.
UAPA provides the key legal backbone for terror investigations in India. The Act defines a “terrorist act” as any act intended to threaten the unity, integrity, security, or sovereignty of India, including the use of explosives to cause death or destruction. Punishments range from five years to life imprisonment or death if the act results in loss of life. The Act criminalizes raising funds for terrorist acts, conspiracy, recruitment, harboring, and membership of designated terrorist organizations. It also allows forfeiture of proceeds of terrorism and mandates Central Government sanction for prosecution.
This Act empowers the Central Government to direct the NIA to investigate any “Scheduled Offence,” including offences under UAPA and the Explosive Substances Act. Once the NIA takes over, state police must hand over all case materials. The Act also establishes Special Courts for expeditious trials, with proceedings taking precedence over other cases.
The new BNS provision defines a terrorist act as any explosive-based or violence-based act intended to intimidate the public or threaten national security. If the act results in death, punishment includes death or life imprisonment without parole, along with a minimum fine of ten lakh rupees. The section also covers conspiracy, membership of terrorist organizations, harboring, and financing.
International & UN Context
The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism promotes international cooperation in the fight against terrorism and supports member states in implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. The Strategy, adopted in 2006, identifies terrorism as “one of the most serious threats to international peace and security” and urges countries to strengthen border controls, prevent trafficking of hazardous materials, and improve coordination for responses to attacks.
Security Implications and Policy Response
The Delhi blast has exposed critical gaps in urban security, interstate intelligence-sharing, and regulation of explosive materials. The discovery of 2,900 kg of explosives and multiple vehicles linked to the module highlights how easily materials can be stockpiled and assembled across state borders without detection.
The involvement of young medical professionals points to emerging patterns of radicalization among highly educated individuals, challenging conventional enforcement frameworks that focus on traditional extremist profiles.
In response, Delhi and neighboring regions implemented immediate high alerts. Key infrastructure—including airports, metro stations, heritage sites, and government buildings—now operates under enhanced security protocols. The Red Fort remains closed for safety assessments, while security instructions have been issued to second-hand car dealers across NCR to verify vehicle sales—a move prompted by fears of additional VBIEDs.
Given the multi-city nature of the module, authorities are expected to review inter-agency coordination, forensic capacity, and intelligence-sharing mechanisms. Strengthening surveillance at critical urban nodes and monitoring the online acquisition of explosive-making knowledge may also become priorities.
The Delhi blast marks one of the most significant urban terror incidents in recent years, revealing a complex interstate network operating through a mix of radicalization, logistical planning, and large-scale explosive procurement. With the NIA now leading the investigation under stringent anti-terror laws, the episode underscores both the evolving nature of terrorism in India and the importance of robust legal and policy frameworks. As Delhi and nearby states tighten security and the investigation deepens, the focus remains on tracing the full extent of the module, preventing further attacks, and bringing all responsible individuals to justice.
Kirti Mathur
- AuthorNext Story
