A powerful explosion near Delhi’s historic Red Fort on Monday night has shaken the capital, killing nine people and injuring at least 20. Authorities have confirmed that the bomb used in the attack contained ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) — a volatile combination frequently linked to major terror attacks worldwide.
Deadly Blast Near Red Fort
According to preliminary reports shared with NDTV, investigators found traces of ammonium nitrate mixed with fuel oil, packed inside a white Hyundai i20 with Haryana registration plates. The car, which had changed ownership several times, including one transfer to a man from Pulwama, was likely used to confuse the investigation trail.
The vehicle entered Delhi via the Badarpur border and remained parked near the Red Fort for nearly three hours before the explosion.
CCTV footage revealed the suspected terrorist, Dr Umar Mohammed, sitting inside the car throughout that time — possibly ensuring that no one tampered with the explosives.
At around 6:52 p.m., the car stopped at a red light on Subhas Marg, a bustling stretch in Old Delhi. Within moments, it exploded.
The blast’s force was so severe that:
22 nearby vehicles caught fire.
Bodies and debris were scattered across the street.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, flames, and shattered glass.
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha confirmed that the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Explosives Substances Act had been invoked, along with charges of murder and attempt to murder.
What Is Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO)?
Ammonium nitrate, or NH₄NO₃, is a white, odourless crystalline chemical widely used as a fertiliser. However, when combined with fuel oil, it becomes a highly explosive compound capable of immense destruction.
By itself, ammonium nitrate is not explosive.
Mixed with fuel oil, and triggered by a detonator or heat source, it can cause a massive explosion.
ANFO burns at extremely high temperatures, making it one of the most powerful and inexpensive explosives.
Its affordability and accessibility have unfortunately made ANFO a favoured choice among terrorists.
Use of ANFO in Past Terror Attacks
ANFO has a long and deadly history in global terrorism. Some of the most infamous incidents include:
Oklahoma City Bombing (1995):
Extremists Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols used 2,300 kg of ANFO to destroy the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people and injuring 900 others.
The blast caused damage worth over $652 million.Wisconsin University Attack (1970):
Protesters against the Vietnam War packed 910 kg of ANFO into a van, which exploded at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, killing one and injuring three.Mumbai Blasts (2011):
Three coordinated explosions at Opera House, Zaveri Bazaar, and Dadar West killed 26 people and injured 130. Traces of ANFO were later detected.Pune Blasts (2012):
A series of low-intensity bombs on Junglee Maharaj Road tested positive for ANFO residues. Thankfully, most devices failed to detonate, preventing large-scale casualties.
Globally, ANFO has also been used in attacks such as the 1983 US Embassy bombing in Beirut and the 2003 British Consulate attack in Istanbul.
Legal Status of ANFO in India
India strictly regulates the sale and use of ammonium nitrate under the Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012, amended in 2021.
According to the law:
Any mixture containing more than 45% ammonium nitrate by weight is legally considered an explosive.
Its manufacture, storage, or transport requires a licence from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).
Unauthorised possession of ANFO is a serious criminal offence.
How the terrorists obtained large quantities of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil remains one of the biggest questions for investigators.
The Faridabad Connection
Investigators uncovered a wider terror network after raiding two buildings in Faridabad, where they found over 300 kg of ammonium nitrate.
The residences were linked to Dr Mujammil Shakeel, a medical professional associated with Al-Falah Hospital. Shakeel and another doctor, Dr Adil Ahmed Rather, were arrested shortly before the Red Fort blast — Shakeel from Faridabad and Rather from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Sources told NDTV that Dr Umar Mohammed, the Red Fort bomber, panicked following the arrests and seizures of explosives and decided to execute the attack prematurely.
In total, authorities discovered 2,950 kg of explosive materials, suggesting a much larger planned operation.
The investigation has also highlighted a disturbing new tactic — terrorists posing as medical professionals to gain trust and avoid suspicion.
In addition to the three arrested doctors, a fourth suspect, a woman doctor, has also been detained. Separately, Ahmed Saiyed, a doctor from Gujarat, was arrested with materials to make ricin, a lethal toxin.
Nationwide Crackdown Underway
Following the blast, police and intelligence agencies launched raids across Jammu and Kashmir, including Srinagar, Anantnag, Ganderbal, and Shopian, and in parts of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Officials are now probing a “white-collar terror network” of radicalised professionals operating within India — individuals using their credentials to conceal extremist activities.
Conclusion
The Red Fort blast has not only exposed a deadly terror plot but also reignited debate over the security of explosive materials and the growing sophistication of terror networks in India.
Authorities are working tirelessly to trace the supply chain of ANFO, identify all linked operatives, and prevent further attacks.
As Delhi mourns the victims, investigators are racing against time to dismantle what appears to be a coordinated, professional terror module — one that chillingly mixed medical knowledge with explosive expertise.
References:
NDTV Reports
The Hindu
India Today
Government of India – Ammonium Nitrate Rules (2012, amended 2021)
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