Probe links JeM to planned 200-blast North India plot
New Delhi police now believe a JeM operative guided the accused in making the bombs used in the November 10 blast.
Investigators have uncovered yet another alarming detail in the ongoing probe into the November 10 blast near Delhi’s iconic Red Fort. What appeared at first to be an isolated explosion has now been linked to a much larger and far more dangerous terror conspiracy. According to officials, the accused arrested so far were not only responsible for the Red Fort blast but were allegedly preparing a staggering 200 bombs—meant to be detonated simultaneously across Delhi and several other North Indian states. The scale, precision and intent of the plan, officers say, could have led to one of the deadliest coordinated terror attacks India has ever seen.
The investigation has now brought to light a clear and direct connection to the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). Officials have learned that the accused were being trained by a JeM operative specially chosen for the task by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The operative, who goes by the name Hanzulla, is believed to be a senior figure within Jaish-e-Mohammad and someone the agency trusted with high-risk operations.
According to investigators, Hanzulla played a central role in guiding the Faridabad-based terror module. It was he who instructed the accused on how to assemble improvised explosive devices (IEDs), what material to use, and how to carry out the large-scale blasts they were planning. He was reportedly in continuous touch with one of the key accused, Maulvi Iran Ahmed, who acted as the link between Hanzulla and the rest of the module. Ahmed, investigators say, facilitated the communication channels, introduced operatives to one another, and ensured that instructions were followed.
Officials highlight that Hanzulla is not a small name in the JeM ecosystem. In fact, posters that appeared in Jammu and Kashmir in the recent past prominently displayed the name “Commander Hanzulla Bhai.” These posters first drew the attention of intelligence agencies, triggering a deeper investigation. The trail eventually led to the Faridabad module, which had been quietly amassing chemicals and preparing explosive material under the radar.
During raids and searches, investigators seized an astonishing 2,900 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, a quantity far beyond what any individual or group would require legitimately. The sheer volume of this material suggested preparations for an attack of catastrophic proportions. Ammonium nitrate, while commonly used in fertilizers, becomes a powerful explosive ingredient when combined with other chemicals. That is precisely what the accused had been doing.
One of the most disturbing revelations, officials say, is that Hanzulla had instructed the group to mix ammonium nitrate with Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP)—a highly volatile, extremely powerful explosive often referred TATP has been used in several major terror attacks globally, including the 2005 London bombings. Its sensitivity to heat, friction and shock makes it both extremely potent and dangerously unpredictable.
When combined with ammonium nitrate, TATP forms a lethal explosive cocktail. Experts note that such a mixture requires minimal technical skills to prepare and can be detonated with ease. One of the major concerns, officials say, is that the explosive can be placed in a vehicle or concealed in a crowded marketplace and left to detonate automatically because environmental heat alone can trigger it.
The Faridabad module, according to the investigation so far, had already begun preparing these bombs. They had acquired raw materials, procured containers, and were in the process of assembling the explosive devices. Their goal, officers believe, was to set off 200 simultaneous blasts—a meticulously coordinated attack that would have targeted multiple cities across North India. Delhi, being a political and symbolic centre, was one of the primary targets.
Fortunately, the plan did not unfold as the conspirators intended. Investigators are still piecing together why the coordinated attack failed to materialize. One working theory is that the Red Fort blast may have occurred prematurely or accidentally, possibly due to mishandling or technical error. This unintended early explosion might have disrupted the larger plan and forced the conspirators into hiding, giving authorities the opportunity to intercept the module before the remaining bombs could be deployed.
Another theory is that the accused may have attempted to test their explosive mixture near the Red Fort, unaware of how quickly TATP-based assemblages can become unstable. The investigation is still ongoing, and officials are cautious about drawing definitive conclusions before the forensic analyses are fully completed.
What is clear, however, is that the Faridabad module was operating with a high degree of coordination, steady external support, and dangerous intent. The simultaneous nature of the planned blasts suggests a desire not just to cause destruction, but to overwhelm emergency services, trigger widespread panic, and cripple normal life across major North Indian cities.
Investigators emphasize that dismantling this module was critical, and the arrests have likely prevented a major national tragedy. The probe continues to widen, with agencies now working to identify all handlers, financiers, and sleeper cells connected to the conspiracy. Cross-border involvement, especially by ISI and JeM operatives, is now firmly in focus.
While the investigation progresses, officials remain alert to the possibility that other modules may have been activated or trained similarly. Security agencies across states have been placed on heightened watch, and efforts are underway to trace communication trails and logistical networks linked to the case.
For now, the timely detection of the Faridabad module stands as a significant breakthrough—a reminder that constant vigilance and coordinated policing are essential in preventing terror attacks, especially those designed to strike simultaneously and on a massive scale.