India has averted a catastrophic terror attack that could have been the deadliest in history. Intelligence agencies successfully dismantled a sophisticated plot involving 32 car bombs packed with a staggering 3,200 kilograms of explosives. This “white-collar” terror module aimed to unleash widespread devastation, potentially causing thousands of casualties and traumatizing the nation.
The uncovered conspiracy revealed a chilling scale of preparedness. Thirty-two vehicles were identified as potential mobile explosives, each rigged to carry approximately 100 kilograms of ammonium nitrate. The sheer volume of explosives, totaling 3,200 kg, far surpasses historical attacks and highlights the extreme danger India faced.
Experts warn that detonating such a massive explosive payload could have resulted in an explosion equivalent to 2.5 tons of TNT. The impact would have been immense, obliterating everything within a 50-meter radius, causing immediate fatalities from shockwaves traveling at extreme speeds, and leading to widespread building collapse and destruction over hundreds of meters. The scale of destruction envisioned by this terror network is almost incomprehensible.
Historical comparisons underscore the magnitude of the averted disaster. The 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, which used 1,800 kg of explosives, killed 168. The 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, with about 1,500 kg, claimed 257 lives. The recovered explosives alone, at 3,200 kg, suggest a death toll that would have dwarfed these devastating events, potentially reaching hundreds or even thousands.
Despite the significant success in thwarting the plot, critical elements remain unaccounted for. A portion of the explosives, around 300 kg, is still missing. Furthermore, only three of the 32 planned vehicles have been traced, leaving the whereabouts of the remaining 29 unknown. This indicates the potential for further threats and the need for continued vigilance by security forces. The swift action of intelligence agencies prevented a national tragedy, but the fight against terrorism demands ongoing alertness and a thorough investigation to dismantle the entire network.
