Delhi blast an act of desperation? Inside the panic that followed multi-state raids on Jaish hideouts

In what investigators are calling a “panic-driven act,” the recent blast near Delhi’s Red Fort was allegedly carried out by a member of a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) module after a series of raids by security agencies dismantled its network across Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

According to sources in the security establishment quoted by TOI, the explosion is believed to have been a desperate act by the suspect to evade arrest, triggered by an intense security crackdown that had already exposed nearly 3,000 kg of explosives and inflammable material during nationwide raids.

Delhi Blast Was a Result of Desperation, Not Planning, Say Investigators

A senior officer told TOI that raids conducted in Delhi-NCR and Pulwama “forced the suspect to act hastily under immense pressure.” The officer said the premature blast indicates that it was not part of a well-planned strike but rather a rushed reaction to the heat from ongoing security operations.

“The bomb was loosely assembled and not fully developed, which limited its impact,” the officer said. The blast did not create a crater nor scatter shrapnel, signs of an incomplete or unstable improvised explosive device (IED).

Suspect Identified as Jaish Member Dr Umar; Moved After Crackdown

Officials revealed that Dr Umar, believed to be part of the Jaish module, had relocated from Al Falah Medical College campus in Faridabad after the arrest and interrogation of his associates. CCTV footage reportedly captured him driving the vehicle used in the explosion.

“The car blast involved the same type of explosives that were recovered from the Faridabad hideouts,” an officer said, adding that investigators are probing whether the explosion was intentional or accidental.

Vehicle Movement Points to Accidental Trigger of Explosives

As per a TOI report, investigators suspect the blast could have occurred while the explosives were being transported, rather than executed as a deliberate terror strike.

“The vehicle was moving amid traffic and was not driven into a crowd, unlike traditional vehicle-borne IED attacks designed to maximise casualties,” an officer explained. This, coupled with the haphazard nature of the device, points to a likely unintended detonation.

Jaish Network Busted: How Alert Agencies Averted a Major Attack

Officials have credited the alertness of security forces for preventing a large-scale terror attack in the national capital. The chain of events began when police in Srinagar came across objectionable Jaish posters in mid-October.

An FIR registered on 19 October in the case triggered a multi-state investigation, leading to raids that exposed the group’s hideouts and weapon caches. “This is a success story of coordination between intelligence agencies and law enforcement,” a senior security official said.

Intelligence Success That Prevented a National Tragedy

While the Delhi blast claimed several lives, officials emphasised that the timely intervention of intelligence and security forces thwarted what could have been a catastrophic terror strike.

“The demolition of this Jaish module is proof of the country’s heightened vigilance and preparedness,” an officer said. “It showcases the strength of our counter-terror network and the quick response of ground-level policing.”

In what investigators are calling a “panic-driven act,” the recent blast near Delhi’s Red Fort was allegedly carried out by a member of a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) module after a series of raids by security agencies dismantled its network across Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

According to sources in the security establishment, the explosion appears to have been a desperate attempt by the suspect to evade capture, following large-scale crackdowns that unearthed close to 3,000 kg of explosives and inflammable material.

Delhi Blast Was a Result of Desperation, Not Planning, Say Investigators

A senior officer told TOI that raids conducted in Delhi-NCR and Pulwama “forced the suspect to act hastily under immense pressure.” The officer said the premature blast indicates that it was not part of a well-planned strike but rather a rushed reaction to the heat from ongoing security operations.

“The bomb was loosely assembled and not fully developed, which limited its impact,” the officer said. The blast did not create a crater nor scatter shrapnel, signs of an incomplete or unstable improvised explosive device (IED).

Suspect Identified as Jaish Member Dr Umar; Moved After Crackdown

Officials revealed that Dr Umar, believed to be part of the Jaish module, had relocated from Al Falah Medical College campus in Faridabad after the arrest and interrogation of his associates. CCTV footage reportedly captured him driving the vehicle used in the explosion.

“The car blast involved the same type of explosives that were recovered from the Faridabad hideouts,” an officer said, adding that investigators are probing whether the explosion was intentional or accidental.

Vehicle Movement Points to Accidental Trigger of Explosives

Investigators suspect the blast could have occurred while the explosives were being transported, rather than executed as a deliberate terror strike.

“The vehicle was moving amid traffic and was not driven into a crowd, unlike traditional vehicle-borne IED attacks designed to maximise casualties,” an officer explained. This, coupled with the haphazard nature of the device, points to a likely unintended detonation.

Jaish Network Busted: How Alert Agencies Averted a Major Attack

Officials have credited the alertness of security forces for preventing a large-scale terror attack in the national capital. The chain of events began when police in Srinagar came across objectionable Jaish posters in mid-October.

An FIR registered on 19 October in the case triggered a multi-state investigation, leading to raids that exposed the group’s hideouts and weapon caches. “This is a success story of coordination between intelligence agencies and law enforcement,” a senior security official said.

Intelligence Success That Prevented a National Tragedy

While the Delhi blast claimed several lives, officials emphasised that the timely intervention of intelligence and security forces thwarted what could have been a catastrophic terror strike.

“The demolition of this Jaish module is proof of the country’s heightened vigilance and preparedness,” an officer said. “It showcases the strength of our counter-terror network and the quick response of ground-level policing.”

Inputs from TOI