Red Fort blast: The war that isn’t over yet

The powerful blast near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday night, which killed more than ten people and injured several others, has once again reminded the nation that India’s war against terrorism is far from over. Only months after India’s Operation Sindoor — which I had earlier described as the semi-finale in the country’s fight against cross-border terror — this attack stands as a grim confirmation that the battle has merely entered a new phase. It underscores that the enemy, though weakened, remains capable of striking at the heart of the nation.

What makes this attack even more alarming is the meticulous planning behind it. Just hours before the explosion, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with the Haryana Police, discovered nearly 3,000 kilograms of explosives hidden in two residential buildings in Faridabad. Among the materials seized was 350 kilograms of ammonium nitrate — a fertiliser that can easily be turned into a deadly bomb. This discovery likely prevented an even greater tragedy.

Terror Takes a New Face

The involvement of doctors in this act of terrorism is deeply unsettling. For a long time, terrorists were often perceived as uneducated or misguided young men, easily influenced by extremist ideologies. But this case tells a different story. It reveals that radicalisation is no longer confined to vulnerable or impoverished communities; it is seeping into universities, hospitals, and classrooms. From the margins to the educated elite, radicalisation now hides within digital platforms, professional institutions, and research laboratories that appear respectable and benign on the surface.

Today, threats no longer emerge from borders alone. The danger festers within cities, in covert cells that blend seamlessly into everyday life. Traditionally reliant on weapon smuggling, these networks have shifted to chemical sourcing and now operate with alarming sophistication, exploiting loopholes in enforcement and oversight.

It is a chilling reminder of how terrorism is evolving-using online networks, encrypted communication, and subtle propaganda to influence minds across all sections of society.

The trail leading to the Red Fort blast began on October 27, when Jaish-e-Mohammed posters suddenly appeared in Srinagar. CCTV footage helped police identify Dr Adil Rather, who was later arrested in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. A search of his locker at the Government Medical College in Anantnag revealed an assault rifle.

His interrogation led police to a cache of explosives in Faridabad, exposing how widely the network had spread — from Kashmir to the National Capital Region. The investigation also revealed that the network was not confined to India; it had cross-border links. Another accused, Dr Muzammil Shakeel, a teacher at Al Falah University, was arrested soon after. The involvement of such educated individuals demonstrates how organised and deeply rooted this web of radicalisation has become. Preliminary findings suggest that another suspect, Umar Mohammed, was driving the explosive-laden car.

Some of his remains have been recovered, and the Delhi Police are conducting DNA tests to confirm his identity. According to officials, the suspected suicide bomber entered Delhi and parked the vehicle near a mosque. CCTV footage shows that he never stepped out of the car, possibly waiting for instructions or for his intended target. Investigators believe the Faridabad arrests may have caused panic within the group. Feeling trapped, Umar Mohammed may have detonated the bomb in desperation. His handler, fearing exposure, could have convinced him to proceed with a suicide attack rather than be captured alive. It is a disturbing illustration of how extremist groups manipulate educated minds, making them believe that shahadat (martyrdom) is a noble act-even when it stems from fear, confusion, and coercion.

Pak Hand Behind the Curtain Once again, the trail points to Pakistan. Intelligence reports suggest that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has been working to bring together terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). This collaboration aims to revive militant activities in India and spread unrest beyond Jammu and Kashmir. The timing of the blast indicates that it may have been an act of revenge for Operation Sindoor, India’s recent counterterror mission that disrupted key militant networks and eliminated several top operatives. Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s growing strength in intelligence, coordination, and precision warfare-making this blast appear to be a desperate retaliatory strike.

Pakistan’s renewed aggression also seems linked to shifting global politics. Recently, it has sought to rebuild ties with the United States by leveraging its strategic position in Central Asia. History shows that each time Pakistan gains international attention or support, it often uses the opportunity to provoke India through acts of terror. However, India today is not the India of the past. Its response to terrorism is no longer slow or defensive. Operation Sindoor itself proved that India is willing and prepared to act with confidence and precision. Yet, the Red Fort blast highlights that terrorists too have adapted-operating through smaller, scattered cells that blend into normal life, making detection increasingly difficult.

A Call for Vigilance and Unity

There is an urgent need for heightened vigilance to prevent such attacks in the future. Security preparedness must extend beyond Jammu and Kashmir and major cities like Delhi to every corner of the country. The vast quantity of explosives recovered in this case underscores the potential scale of destruction-and the likelihood that multiple coordinated blasts may have been planned.

The case also reflects the commendable coordination between interstate enforcement agencies and the efficiency of information sharing. Without this cooperation, the conspiracy might have gone undetected. Such coordination must be further strengthened through greater investment in digital skills, as encryption technologies and money trails have become central to terror financing and communication. Enhancing ground-level intelligence, tightening surveillance in both urban and semi-urban areas, and boosting technological capabilities must now be critical priorities.

On the diplomatic front, India must continue to expose Pakistan’s duplicity-posing as a victim of terrorism while secretly fostering it. Nations that still regard Pakistan as a counterterrorism ally must be reminded of its true record. India should continue to use global platforms such as the United Nations, the G20, and the FATF to push for stricter international action against states that shelter or finance terrorism.

Conclusion

The war on terror is far from over. The Red Fort blast is a painful reminder that the threat no longer lies only across our borders-it hides within our cities, in quiet apartments, encrypted chats, and respected institutions. India cannot afford to lower its guard or treat terrorism as someone else’s problem. This fight belongs not just to the police, armed forces, or intelligence agencies-it is a fight for every Indian. The government and the opposition must work together with a shared sense of purpose, placing national security above politics. Citizens, too, must remain alert, responsible, and united-resisting the hate and misinformation that weaken the nation from within.