United Nations Security Council monitoring team has attributed the November 2025 Red Fort blast to Al‑Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), adding an international dimension to India’s ongoing probe.
The report said AQIS has evolved into a decentralised network of smaller cells, with leaders based in Kabul using Afghan identity documents. It also flagged AQIS’s attempts to expand into Bangladesh.
The blast, investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), involved a vehicle near the historic monument, killing several people and injuring more than 20. Indian investigators earlier linked the case to radicalised professionals and affiliates of AQIS and Ansar Ghazwat‑ul‑Hind.
The UN team further warned that Al‑Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates are exploring chemical and biological materials and increasingly turning to cryptocurrencies to finance operations. It recommended sanctioning crypto addresses tied to terrorist groups.
Security Tightened Ahead of Independence Day
With the 80th Independence Day celebrations approaching, Delhi has deployed 20,000 security personnel around the Red Fort. Over 1,000 CCTV cameras with facial recognition and number‑plate detection are in place, alongside anti‑drone systems, snipers, and specialised response teams.
