Red Fort blast that killed 11 was carried out by Al-Qaeda’s India subcontinent outfit, UN report reveals

August 13, 2026

New Delhi: The November 2025 blast near Delhi’s Red Fort that killed 11 people has been officially attributed to Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), according to a United Nations Security Council monitoring report released this week.

The attribution was made in the 38th report of the UN Security Council’s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, which monitors threats linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State (ISIL/Daesh) under the Council’s sanctions framework.

UN report officially attributes Red Fort blast to AQIS

The report said AQIS has continued to evolve from a fragmented organisation into a regional terrorist entity. Instead of relying on large formations, the group has been developing its network through smaller, decentralised cells, along with logistical and financial networks.

The UN assessment specifically stated that the November 2025 attack in Delhi was officially attributed to AQIS. It also flagged concerns over the outfit’s efforts to establish operational cells in Bangladesh.

Blast near Red Fort killed 11

The explosion took place near Delhi’s Red Fort in November 2025, when a car exploded in the area, killing 11 people and injuring several others. The case was subsequently investigated as a terror attack.

The latest UN assessment provides an international counter-terrorism monitoring body’s attribution of the attack to AQIS. Indian investigators had earlier pursued alleged links between the attackers and the Al-Qaeda affiliate network.

UN flags AQIS expansion in region

The report also expressed concern over AQIS seeking to expand its presence in the region, including through the establishment of cells in Bangladesh.

More broadly, the UN monitoring team warned about the continuing evolution of Al-Qaeda and ISIL affiliates and their efforts to maintain operational, logistical and financial networks despite counter-terrorism pressure.

The report’s findings come as security agencies continue to monitor the activities of terrorist organisations and their affiliates across South Asia.