India’s intelligence agencies have successfully thwarted a catastrophic terror plot, preventing what could have been the most devastating serial bombing in world history. The uncovered scheme involved 32 car bombs loaded with an astonishing 3,200 kilograms of explosives, signaling a highly sophisticated and dangerous “white-collar” terror operation.
The magnitude of the plot is staggering, with security forces discovering a massive stockpile of explosives. Thirty-two vehicles were intended to be used as mobile destructive devices, each carrying a substantial payload of around 100 kilograms of ammonium nitrate. The sheer quantity of explosives signifies a major threat that was meticulously planned to inflict mass casualties and widespread panic.
Explosives experts have outlined the horrifying potential of such an attack. A coordinated detonation of 3,200 kilograms of ammonium nitrate would unleash a blast equivalent to 2.5 tons of TNT. Such an explosion would completely annihilate structures within a 50-meter radius. The resulting shockwaves, traveling at immense speeds, would cause immediate fatalities, and structural damage would extend hundreds of meters, with tremors felt almost a kilometer away.
Looking at historical incidents, the scale of this averted attack is profoundly disturbing. The Oklahoma City Bombing, which utilized 1,800 kilograms of explosives, caused 168 deaths. The 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, with 1,500 kilograms, led to 257 fatalities. This foiled Indian plot, with over twice the explosive material, had the potential to cause a death toll far exceeding previous benchmarks, marking it as a potential turning point in terror history.
Despite the significant success in neutralizing the immediate threat, critical elements of the plot remain unrecovered. Approximately 300 kilograms of explosives are still missing, and the majority of the 32 vehicles intended for the attack have not been traced. These outstanding factors necessitate ongoing vigilance and rigorous investigation by India’s security apparatus to ensure the complete dismantling of the terror network and prevent any possibility of a future attack.