Central agencies have flagged an evolving and increasingly sophisticated terror threat marked by the innovative use of explosives, commercially available chemicals, and easily accessible online resources
to fabricate improvised explosive devices (IEDs), in view of Republic Day Parade and Beating the Retreat function. Sources said that a fresh detailed note has been issued last week.
The security arrangements have been changed in a big way to thwart any incident.
A top-level official aware of the development told News18 on the condition of anonymity that global terror outfits such as Al-Qaeda (AQ), Islamic State (IS) and their affiliates are actively sharing and demonstrating techniques to make bombs and IEDs using materials that are cheap, easily available, and difficult to detect.
According to an official aware of the development, these new-generation IEDs are designed to bypass conventional security measures such as metal detectors, sniffer dogs, and manual frisking, posing a serious and evolving challenge for security forces.
According to the sources, Indian agencies have come across one such instance where Al-Qaeda affiliates released a video demonstrating step-by-step techniques for making bombs and IEDs using readily available materials. Officials said these methods are specifically designed to evade standard detection systems.
“There is a growing likelihood of hostile actors trying to access secured locations through impersonation, using fake passes, forged labels, or even service uniforms,” the official said.
Agencies have also reported that terror outfits are fabricating IEDs in an old format, disguised as everyday objects. “The knowledge required for fabricating and planting such deceptive devices is freely available online, which significantly accentuates the threat,” a source said.
Another area of concern is the increasing use of technology, particularly drones and remote-operated systems, to carry out attacks.
Operation Sindoor Frustration
The threat perception has sharpened further in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, following which Pakistan-based terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) have issued threatening statements on social media. These outfits have reportedly vowed to avenge the strikes by targeting vital installations in Pakistan and India, along with iconic and tourist locations with high footfall, economic centres, prominent religious places and leaders, and defence and security establishments.
Delhi Blast Exposed Presence and Preparation of Outfits
Sources have said that after Delhi Blast, agencies have been able to analyse the presence and preparation of terror outfits.
They have also linked recent developments to the high-intensity blast reported near Red Fort in Delhi on November 10. Officials say that there is heightened concern over potential threats to VVIPs and VVIPs from Islamist terror groups and anti-India elements, prompting calls for significant enhancement of security arrangements, especially in view of the Republic Day Celebrations (RDC) 2026.
Threat from Al-Qaeda and IS
Global jihadi groups such as IS, AQ and their affiliates have issued repeated threats against India and high dignitaries. Intelligence agencies are closely monitoring videos and other content uploaded on social media platforms by these groups, which indicate clear hostility and intent to carry out disruptive activities in the country.
“These outfits are also resorting to aggressive online propaganda to radicalise and incite Muslim youth, encouraging lone-wolf attacks in the name of jihad and to ‘avenge’ alleged oppression in India,” the official said.
