New Delhi, November 17, 2025: A devastating explosion that took place near Delhi's Red Fort on November 10, 2025 has left investigators examining whether triacetone triperoxide (TATP), an extremely volatile explosive also known as the "Mother of Satan," was used in the deadly blast that shook the capital.
The explosion said to be occurred when a slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light near the Red Fort area.
"A slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light. An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged," Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha told reporters.
The blast that happened was powerful enough to be felt several miles away. The explosion caused almost six vehicles and three autorickshaws to catch fire, according to New Delhi's deputy fire chief.
Windows of a Sikh place of worship located around 500 meters away were also shattered by the force of the explosion.
Witnesses described horrific scenes that happened at the site of the blast. "I saw the car explode while it was moving," Dharmindra Dhaga, 27, told Agence France-Presse. "People were on fire and we tried to save them… Cars and people were burning, people inside the cars were burning."
The force of the explosion was so intense that a severed arm was found on the roof of a shop about 300 meters from the blast site, indicating how widely human remains were dispersed after the blast.
Forensic teams collected more than 40 samples from the blast site, including vehicle fragments, cartridge casings and explosive residues, which are being analyzed at the FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) to confirm the chemical composition and triggering mechanism. Preliminary field reports identified traces consistent with ammonium nitrate but authorities say final laboratory confirmation is pending.
According to sources, initial assessments suggest 2-3 kg of ammonium nitrate, mixed with fuel oil and other chemicals that can be suspected as TATP, taking the weight of the explosive to roughly 40-50 kg.
While TATP may have acted as the initiating explosive, investigators believe ammonium nitrate formed most of the main charge.
CCTV footage found earlier also showed a large bag placed on the rear seat of the i20 which was driven by Dr. Umar Nabi, which can be an indication of the IED's size involved in the blast.
The NIA has forensically established the identity of the deceased driver as Dr. Nabi, who hailed from Pulwama district and was Assistant Professor in the General Medicine Department at Al Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana.
TATP, also known as "Mother of Satan" and acetone peroxide, is a semi-stable crystalline solid that is extremely sensitive to impact, friction, static electricity, and heat. Pure TATP is white in color.
TATP was discovered in 1895 by Richard Wolffenstein.1 Despite being more than a century old, it has become a weapon of choice for terrorists in recent decades.
TATP is called as "Mother of Satan" due to its extreme instability and the high risk of accidental detonation. TATP is one of the most unstable explosives which makes it dangerous to manufacture or even transport.
TATP is produced mainly as a homemade explosive, due to the availability of precursors in household products. TATP synthesis usually involves a mixture of acetone and cool hydrogen peroxide (used to bleach hair), with sulfuric acid.1
Officials say TATP can deliver up to 80 percent of TNT's explosive power despite being made from everyday materials like hydrogen peroxide and acetone.
The ease of acquiring these components has made it attractive to terrorists.
TATP is a homemade explosive (HME) that has seen widespread illegal use over the last two decades. The first reported terrorist attack using TATP took place in Israel in 1980, and US law enforcement encountered TATP as early as 1983, during an investigation in California.
As per New America, Since 2014, there have been 14 attacks in the West involving explosives. Of those, six involved TATP, an explosive that has long been the bomb of choice for jihadists in the West due to the ease of acquiring the components to make it, as compared to military-grade explosives.
2015 Paris Attack (November 13, 2015)
2016 Brussels Airport Attack (March 22, 2016)
2017 Manchester Concert Bombing (May 22, 2017)
2017 Brussels Central Station Attack (June 20, 2017)
2017 Barcelona Car-Ramming Attack and Cambrils Stabbing (August 17, 2017)
2017 Parsons Green, London Underground Attempted Bombing (September 15, 2017)
The traces of TATP were also found in the accidental explosion that preceded the 2017 terrorist attacks in Barcelona and surrounding areas.
Due to TATP's extreme sensitivity, the device may not have needed a detonator, as heat or friction alone could have triggered the blast.
The absence of metal shrapnel suggests the bomb relied on the car's own structure to amplify the explosion.
"Amir had come to Delhi to facilitate the purchase of the car which was eventually used as a vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (IED) to trigger the blast," the NIA stated.
Forensic experts are working to confirm whether TATP was indeed used in the deadly blast. The investigation continues as authorities analyze samples collected from the scene to determine the exact composition and triggering mechanism of the explosive device that caused this tragic incident near Delhi's historic Red Fort.
1. Vahčič M, Anderson D, Seghers J, et al. A Powdered Simulant of Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) for Safe Testing of X-ray Transmission Screening Equipment. Molecules. 2020;25(6):1473. Published 2020 Mar 24. doi:10.3390/molecules25061473
(Rh/VK)