Union Home Minister Amit Shah made a significant disclosure on Friday, stating that 40 kilograms of explosives were used in the car blast near the Red Fort in New Delhi. He commended the Jammu and Kashmir Police for an "excellent investigation" that led to the recovery of a massive 3 tonnes of explosives before they could be detonated.
Investigation Thwarts Major Conspiracy
According to Shah, the swift action by security agencies resulted in the apprehension of the entire team involved in conspiring the plot before the Delhi blast could be executed. "The incident in Delhi happened with 40 kilograms of explosives, while 3 tonnes of explosives were recovered before they could detonate, and the entire team involved in conspiring this plot was apprehended," Shah said, as reported by PTI.
He praised the coordinated efforts, noting that the investigation of the entire network was carried out very effectively by all agencies involved. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has so far arrested nine key accused in connection with the bomb blast on November 10, which killed 15 people and injured several others.
Call for a Unified Tech Framework Against Crime
Inaugurating the 'Anti-Terrorism Conference-2025' in the national capital, the Home Minister outlined the government's future strategy. He announced that in the coming days, the government will be "bringing a plan to launch a 360-degree assault on organized crime."
Shah emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration, urging everyone to adopt the principle of 'Duty to Share' instead of 'Need to Know'. He pointed out a critical gap in current security infrastructure, stating that technology and data collected in silos are ineffective. "Technology developed in silos and data collected in silos are like a gun without bullets," he remarked.
To address this, he directed the Ministry of Home Affairs, the NIA, and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to hold discussions for developing a seamless national-level framework for technology and data. This framework aims to ensure all data can communicate with each other and are created using interoperable technology, with the centre supporting states in strengthening their capabilities.
Blast Designated as Terror Act, Probe Intensifies
The Union cabinet had earlier described the November 10 car blast near Lal Quila (Red Fort) as an act of "terror," acknowledging the perpetrators' plan to cause large-scale mayhem. This designation is significant under the anti-terror doctrine formulated by the Modi government after the Pahalgam attack.
As per this policy, a terror attack is to be treated as an act of aggression against the country. While sources indicated that a final determination on whether the Red Fort blast meets all criteria would depend on the ongoing cross-state investigation, the cabinet signalled its intent to use all available options against terror.
The NIA continues its probe with "alacrity to unravel the complete conspiracy." Earlier this month, the agency conducted extensive searches at premises of several accused and suspects in Jammu & Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh, seizing various digital devices and other incriminating materials.
