UN Report Attributes 2025 Red Fort Blast to AQIS, Warns of Expanding Al-Qaida Network

A United Nations Security Council monitoring team has attributed the November 2025 Red Fort blast in Delhi to Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), describing the attack as evidence of the terror group's renewed operational capabilities and expanding regional network.

The report, prepared by the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, says AQIS has evolved into a more decentralised regional terrorist organisation and is attempting to strengthen its presence across South Asia, including Bangladesh.

UN links Red Fort blast to AQIS

According to the UN report, the November 2025 explosion near Delhi's Red Fort, which killed 11 people, was carried out by an AQIS-linked module.

The monitoring team stated that AQIS has transformed from a fragmented organisation into a regional terrorist entity by building logistics and financial networks while operating through smaller, decentralised cells.

The report said the Red Fort attack represents one of the clearest indicators of the group's renewed operational capability.

NIA had earlier linked attackers to AQIS

The blast occurred on November 10, 2025, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) exploded near the Red Fort.

India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) had earlier identified Umar un-Nabi, a former assistant professor at Al-Falah University in Faridabad, as the primary perpetrator. He died in the explosion.

The NIA's investigation concluded that the module was inspired by AQIS and had planned the attack as part of a wider terror conspiracy. The latest UN assessment aligns with those earlier investigative findings by attributing the attack to the Al-Qaida-linked group.

AQIS expanding regional footprint

The report warns that AQIS is increasingly relying on small, scattered operational cells instead of larger formations, making the organisation more difficult for security agencies to detect and disrupt.

According to the monitoring team, the group has strengthened its logistics and financing capabilities despite years of counterterrorism operations.

The report also raises concerns that AQIS may attempt to establish operational cells in Bangladesh, potentially expanding its influence across South Asia.

Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions highlighted

Apart from AQIS, the report also notes rising cross-border violence between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

It states that the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has intensified attacks on Pakistani security forces, contributing to growing tensions along the border.

The report further links AQIS to attacks claimed by Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan (IMP), including suicide bombings and vehicle-borne explosive attacks in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

UN flags growing use of AI by terror groups

The monitoring team also highlighted the increasing use of artificial intelligence by terrorist organisations and their supporters.

According to the report, extremists have used AI tools to seek information related to bomb-making and target selection, while groups such as Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) have reportedly employed AI to rapidly translate and distribute propaganda across multiple languages.

The report also warns that terrorist organisations continue to show interest in chemical and biological weapons, citing propaganda material discussing substances such as botulinum toxin and cyanide.

Changes to UN sanctions list

The reporting period also saw revisions to the UN terrorism sanctions list.

According to the monitoring team:

• Three individuals were added to the sanctions list.
• Seven individuals were removed.
• The listing of Al-Nusrah Front (Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham) was formally removed from the sanctions list on February 27, 2026.

The report concludes that terrorist organisations are continuing to adapt their structures, financing methods and operational strategies to evade counterterrorism measures, with the Red Fort blast cited as a significant example of AQIS's evolving capabilities.