New Delhi, Dec 28: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that 40 kilograms of explosives were used in the Red Fort blast, while security agencies recovered three tonnes of explosives before they could be detonated in another planned attack in Delhi.
Addressing the Anti-Terrorism Conference-2025 here, Shah said that the entire network involved in the Delhi conspiracy was dismantled before the blast could take place. He said the investigation into the case was carried out jointly by central and state agencies, adding that the episode demonstrated how timely intelligence and coordinated action prevented a major crisis.
Shah said the conference, organised by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), had emerged as a key platform to analyse terrorist incidents in India and abroad and to strengthen counter-terrorism capabilities. He said terrorism was evolving due to increased use of technology and agencies must remain ahead of emerging threats.
The home minister said that for the first time, security forces punished those who planned a terrorist incident through Operation Sindoor and neutralised those who executed it through Operation Mahadev, referring to the recent Pahalgam attack. He said the investigation into the attack would place Pakistan “in the dock” on international platforms.
Shah said the NIA had prepared a common Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) structure and urged states to implement it at the earliest. He said operational uniformity was essential for accurate threat assessment, effective intelligence sharing and coordinated counter-action.
During the event, Shah unveiled the updated NIA crime manual, launched the Organised Crime Network Database, and the Lost, Looted and Recovered Weapon Database. He said organised crime networks often evolve into terror financing channels and must be dismantled using shared intelligence.
Calling for a shift from “need to know” to “duty to share”, Shah said technology and data developed in silos weakened national security efforts. He said agencies must work together to build a strong and impenetrable anti-terrorism grid for future generations.
The two-day conference is being attended by senior police officers from states and Union Territories, officials from central agencies, and experts from law, forensics and technology.(KNS).
