Investigators suspect that a highly unstable combination of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and ammonium nitrate was responsible for the devastating car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort on November 10, which claimed the lives of 13 people. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) confirmed the presence of TATP in the Hyundai i20 involved in the blast.

TATP, known as the "Mother of Satan" due to its extreme sensitivity and risk of accidental detonation, is a homemade explosive that is difficult to detect using standard methods. The investigators believe the combination of TATP with ammonium nitrate created a highly volatile mixture, which significantly increased the risk of accidental detonation. The instability of TATP may explain why the blast occurred prematurely, as suggested by the absence of shrapnel and lack of a crater beneath the car. Earlier reports indicated that the car was moving slowly toward a traffic signal when the explosion occurred.

Sources also suggest that traces of the TATP and ammonium nitrate mixture may have contributed to a separate explosion at the Nowgam Police Station in Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in nine fatalities. The Jammu and Kashmir Police have stated that the Nowgam explosion was accidental and occurred while officials were handling seized ammonium nitrate. Preliminary investigations suggest that the material had become highly unstable and capable of self-detonation, even without a detonator.

The explosive materials were seized following the arrest of Dr. Adeel Ahmad Rather on October 27, which led to raids on a terror module operating out of Faridabad. The module is believed to have been connected to Jaish-e-Mohammed. Investigators believe the module intended to use the explosives to create a large improvised explosive device (IED) for attacks in crowded urban areas, such as markets and metro corridors. The module came under scrutiny after Nowgam Police intercepted Jaish-e-Mohammed posters warning of attacks on security forces and outsiders in Kashmir.

The investigation revealed that members of the terror module had pooled approximately Rs 26 lakh to acquire explosive substances, spending Rs 3 lakh on NPK fertilizer, a common bomb-making ingredient. Authorities are investigating whether an illegal fertilizer seller was involved in supplying the materials to the suspects.

The presence of TATP, combined with ammonium nitrate, highlights the evolving threats posed by terror modules and the dangers associated with highly unstable homemade explosives. The investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of the terror plot and to prevent future attacks.