Fault Lines

The deadly explosion near Red Fort in Delhi on November 10, which killed 13 and injured several others, has once again exposed the fragile underbelly of India’s national security architecture. The incident, now being probed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosives Act, is more than a law-and-order issue—it is a grim reminder of how intelligence failures continue to plague the country despite decades of counterterrorism reforms and rhetoric.

The alleged involvement of Umar-un-Nabi, a doctor from Pulwama, who died in the blast, raises unsettling questions about the penetration of radical networks and the efficiency of intelligence-sharing mechanisms between central and state agencies. If reports suggesting links to a wider terror module are accurate, the episode reflects not merely an operational lapse but a systemic weakness in anticipating and intercepting threats before they reach the capital’s heart. In an age of sophisticated surveillance, artificial intelligence, and inter-agency coordination cells, such breaches point to complacency as much as capability gaps.

India has long lived with the shadow of terrorism. From the 1993 Mumbai blasts to the 2008 attacks and the 2019 Pulwama tragedy, every major act of terror has been followed by promises of reform and stronger deterrence. Yet, the persistence of such incidents—especially in a heavily fortified city like Delhi—suggests that policy intent has not translated into institutional readiness. Intelligence failures are not simply about missed information; they are about missing accountability.

The government’s immediate response—pledging justice and invoking stringent laws—is predictable. But counterterrorism is not just about arrests and tough legislation. India’s security doctrine must evolve from reactive policing to preventive intelligence. It must also recognise that the fight against terrorism cannot be won merely with force—it must be rooted in social stability, trust-building, and deradicalisation. The narrative of national security must include both strength and restraint.

Equally, the Opposition and media must avoid politicising the tragedy. Fear and suspicion are precisely what terrorist networks seek to inflame. The real test of leadership lies not only in punishing the guilty but also in protecting the moral fabric of the nation from being torn apart by paranoia and prejudice.

For India, the explosion at Red Fort is a wake-up call. A single lapse can undo years of peace. National security, in its truest sense, lies not only in defending borders but also in defending the trust of citizens. The challenge now is to ensure that this bloodied lesson does not fade into yet another forgotten file in the long history of India’s unlearned warnings.