Explosive was a mixture of ammonium nitrate & TATP, Pg 4

Key Highlights:

• Forensic analysis confirmed the use of a mixture of ammonium nitrate and triacetone triperoxide (TATP) in the November 10 blast outside the Red Fort.
• Approximately 30-40 kg of ammonium nitrate was present in the car, leading to the explosion's magnitude.
• Investigators are examining a possible link between the Delhi blast and the Faridabad terror module, where 358 kg of ammonium nitrate was seized.
• The accused allegedly procured ammonium nitrate and fertilizers from shops in Sohna, Gurgaon, and Nuh in Haryana.

Detailed Insights:

• Ammonium nitrate, commonly used as agricultural manure, is legally sold through registered vendors but is monitored due to its potential for misuse in explosives.
• Access to ammonium nitrate is regulated, requiring permission from a district magistrate for up to 30 metric tonnes and PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation) approval for larger quantities.
• The government's System for Explosive Tracking and Tracing (SETT) monitors all licensed transactions of explosive materials.
• Ammonium nitrate has been widely used in terror-related blasts in India, especially before 2012, and remains a key component in IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices).
• TATP, formed from a combination of chemical compounds, also contains oxygen and can detonate, making it a dangerous component in explosives.
• Delhi Police is taking preventive steps, including meetings with chemical associations and registered vendors, to ensure no sale of such chemicals and strengthen internal checks within the supply chain.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Ammonium Nitrate: A chemical compound used in fertilizers and explosives, regulated due to its potential for misuse.
• TATP (Triacetone Triperoxide): A highly unstable explosive compound formed from a combination of chemical compounds.
• IED (Improvised Explosive Device): A bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action.
• PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation): An organization responsible for regulating the safety of hazardous substances like explosives and petroleum products.