A powerful explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening killed at least ten people and injured twenty others, in what investigators have described as a failed terror strike. Authorities believe the blast was part of a larger, well-coordinated conspiracy bearing similarities to the 2022 Mangaluru cooker blast, both in its planning and execution.
Emerging terror network uncovered
Initial investigation suggests that the Red Fort car explosion was orchestrated by an emerging “white-collar” terror network operating out of Faridabad, with suspected links to radical elements in Jammu and Kashmir. According to intelligence sources, the group recruited educated professionals, including doctors and university faculty, to execute terror activities under the guise of legitimate occupations.
The chain of events leading to the blast began on October 19, when pro–Jaish-e-Mohammad posters surfaced in Nowgam, Srinagar. The discovery prompted Banpora Police to register an FIR, which eventually led investigators to a sophisticated network of radicalised professionals and students spread across northern India.
Arrests and massive arms haul
On October 30, 2025, police arrested Dr. Muzammil Shakeel, the head of the Emergency Department at Al-Falah University, Faridabad. His interrogation led to the discovery of an enormous cache of explosives — nearly 2,900 kg of material, along with timers, AK-47 rifles and live ammunition. Officials say the seized items were meant for a series of coordinated attacks across Delhi and neighbouring regions.
Along with Dr. Muzammil, three others — including Dr. Adil — were detained. Another associate, Umar Mohammad, was allegedly responsible for transporting the explosive-laden Hyundai i20 from Faridabad to the Red Fort. However, the car exploded prematurely before reaching its intended target, averting what could have been a catastrophic strike in the heart of the capital.
Parallels with the 2022 Mangaluru cooker blast
Investigators have noted several similarities between the Red Fort car blast and the Mangaluru cooker blast of 2022. In both cases, a premature explosion prevented large-scale casualties and exposed a deeper terror network.
The Mangaluru case began in November 2020, when pro-terror graffiti supporting Lashkar-e-Toiba and the Taliban appeared near Kadri, warning against “Sanghis and Manuvedis”. The police later arrested Shariq, Maz Muneer and Sadat Hussain under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). During interrogation, they revealed that a man named Arafat Ali had radicalised them and encouraged such activities.
By 2022, Shariq — a B. Tech student skilled in robotics and electronics — had conducted reconnaissance of crowded areas in Mangaluru while assembling an improvised explosive device (IED). On November 19, 2022, he boarded an autorickshaw near Nagori carrying a cooker bomb meant for Kadri Temple. The device detonated prematurely, injuring him and the driver, Purushotham Poojary. Forensic teams later discovered evidence of earlier trial explosions on the Tunga River banks near Thirthahalli.
Shift in terror landscape
Both incidents point to a significant transformation in India’s terror ecosystem — from traditional militant outfits to educated, tech-savvy radicals who operate discreetly in urban environments. While the Mangaluru module drew on engineering and electronics expertise to design bombs, the Delhi–Faridabad group leveraged medical and academic networks for logistics and cover.
A senior National Investigation Agency (NIA) officer noted, “We are witnessing a new pattern where professionals are using their technical knowledge and resources to build and conceal terror infrastructure. The danger lies in their ability to blend seamlessly into society.”
Investigation and next steps
Forensic teams from the Delhi Police Special Cell, NIA, and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) have collected samples from the Red Fort blast site. Early findings indicate that RDX and ammonium nitrate were used in the device, suggesting a sophisticated design with remote detonation capability.
Authorities are now tracing the funding channels and digital communications that may connect the Faridabad group to radical networks in Kashmir and the Gulf. Meanwhile, heightened security has been deployed around key heritage sites and public places in Delhi.
Averted tragedy and lessons learned
Officials say the premature detonation, while tragic, prevented a much larger loss of life. The failed attempt has once again highlighted how quick action and intelligence coordination can thwart urban terror plots before they unfold.
As investigators dismantle the remaining parts of the network, counterterrorism experts warn that India must prepare for a new generation of ideologically driven, educated extremists. Both the Red Fort and Mangaluru incidents serve as stark reminders that radicalisation is evolving — and so must the nation’s security response.