A catastrophic terror attack, potentially the deadliest in history, has been thwarted in India by the quick action of its intelligence agencies. A meticulously planned operation involving 32 vehicles packed with a massive 3,200 kilograms of explosives was uncovered, narrowly averting a national tragedy of unprecedented scale. This sophisticated “white-collar” terror network aimed to unleash widespread devastation.
The discovered plot involved an extensive stockpile of explosives, primarily ammonium nitrate, intended to arm 32 separate car bombs. Each vehicle was configured to carry approximately 100 kilograms of the potent explosive material, turning them into mobile WMDs. The scale of this operation is profoundly alarming, especially when considering the destructive power of even smaller explosive devices used in past attacks.
Experts have outlined the terrifying consequences of such a large-scale detonation. A single 3,200-kilogram ammonium nitrate bomb is equivalent to 2.5 tons of TNT. The immediate blast zone would experience total destruction within a 50-meter radius. The ensuing shockwaves, traveling at immense speeds, would cause immediate fatalities, while buildings up to 150 meters away would collapse. Glass would shatter up to 400 meters, and the tremors would be felt significantly further, causing mass casualties and widespread damage.
Historical bombings provide a stark comparison. The 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, which utilized 1,800 kilograms of explosives, resulted in 168 deaths. The 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, using around 1,500 kilograms, killed 257 people. Based on these precedents, the 3,200-kilogram capacity of the Indian plot indicates a potential death toll of hundreds, if not thousands, making it a far graver threat.
Despite the successful disruption, the threat is not entirely neutralized. Security forces are actively searching for the remaining 300 kilograms of explosives and the 29 untraced vehicles from the plot. Locating these elements is critical to dismantling the entire network and ensuring no further attacks can be launched. India’s security establishment’s vigilance prevented a national disaster, but the ongoing investigation underscores the persistent need for preparedness against evolving terror threats.