Over 2 Kg Ammonium Nitrate, Petroleum Used In Blast Near Red Fort: Sources

New Delhi: Investigations into the deadly blast that occurred near the Red Fort in Delhi earlier this week have revealed that over 2 kg of ammonium nitrate, combined with petroleum products, was used in the explosion. The blast, which took place on November 10, 2025, resulted in 13 fatalities.

Sources connected to the investigating agencies have identified Umar Nabi, the driver of the car that exploded, as an expert bomb maker. The explosive material used was a mix of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil (ANFO), a combination that has tragically been used in terror attacks in the past.

ANFO is created by combining ammonium nitrate, a widely used fertilizer, with fuel oil. While ammonium nitrate itself is not explosive, it becomes highly potent when mixed with a volatile secondary material and triggered by an external detonation. The resulting chemical reaction generates a large volume of hot gases, like nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and steam, very quickly, leading to a powerful blast wave. The detonation velocity of ANFO is approximately 3,200 meters per second, which can cause significant structural damage.

The blast near the Red Fort involved a Hyundai i20, which was used to carry the ANFO charge. Authorities have recovered detonator fragments and traces of ammonium nitrate, confirming that the explosion was caused by a pre-placed or vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED). The vehicle had been resold multiple times, including to a person from Pulwama, potentially to mislead investigators.

In the wake of the explosion, initial investigations also led to the recovery of a significant cache of ammonium nitrate from a suspect's residence. Approximately 350 kg of explosives, including ammonium nitrate, chemicals, and equipment needed to make IEDs and bombs, were seized from a rented accommodation in Faridabad, Haryana. An AK-47 rifle was also found at the same location.

The use of ANFO in the Red Fort blast highlights the ongoing challenge of preventing industrial explosives from falling into the wrong hands. In India, ammonium nitrate is strictly regulated, with any mixture containing more than 45% ammonium nitrate classified as an explosive. District Magistrates can permit possession of up to 30 metric tons, but larger quantities require approval from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). These regulations aim to prevent misuse while allowing legitimate use in industries like mining and construction.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities exploring all angles, including the possibility of a suicide bombing. Eyewitnesses reported a deafening explosion that shattered windows and was heard over a wide area. The injured were immediately taken to LNJP Hospital.