A United Nations Security Council monitoring report has attributed the November 2025 blast near Delhi’s Red Fort to Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), adding an international dimension to the investigation into the deadly explosion.

The latest assessment by the UN Security Council’s 1267 Sanctions Committee monitoring team said AQIS has evolved from a fragmented organisation into a decentralised network operating through smaller cells across the region. The report also flagged the group’s continued presence in Afghanistan and its efforts to expand its activities into Bangladesh.

The development comes as Indian agencies continue to investigate the Red Fort blast, which was treated as a terror-related incident and later brought under the investigation of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Red Fort Blast Under NIA Probe

The explosion took place near the historic Red Fort in Delhi in November 2025. A vehicle was involved in the blast, which killed several people and injured more than 20 others.

The NIA took over the investigation as agencies examined possible links between the incident and a broader extremist network.

Indian investigators have previously linked the case to a network involving radicalised professionals and alleged AQIS affiliates. Umar un-Nabi, identified as the suspected driver of the vehicle, was killed in the explosion.

The investigation has also examined alleged connections between the suspects and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, an organisation linked to AQIS.

AQIS Network Expanding

According to the UN assessment, AQIS has increasingly adopted a decentralised structure, with smaller cells operating across different parts of the region.

The report said AQIS leaders are based in Kabul and continue to operate using Afghan national identity documents. It also raised concerns about the group's attempts to expand its presence and activities in Bangladesh.

The findings highlight the continuing regional security challenge posed by Al-Qaeda-linked organisations, even as their operational structures become less centralised.

Chemical, Biological Threat Concerns

The UN monitoring team also warned about the continued interest of Al-Qaeda and Islamic State-linked groups in acquiring or developing capabilities involving chemical and biological materials.

The report indicates that terrorist organisations continue to explore unconventional methods that could increase the scale and impact of attacks.

The assessment also pointed to changes in the way extremist groups raise and move money.

Terror Groups Exploring Crypto

According to the UN team, Al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates are increasingly exploring cryptocurrencies to finance their activities.

The monitoring body recommended considering cryptocurrency addresses associated with sanctioned terrorist organisations for inclusion in UN sanctions measures.

The concern reflects the growing challenge for authorities trying to track terrorist financing through digital financial systems, where transactions can cross borders and may be difficult to monitor using conventional financial surveillance mechanisms.

Red Fort Security Tightened

The UN report comes shortly before India's 80th Independence Day celebrations, with the Red Fort placed under heightened security ahead of the Prime Minister's address.

Around 20,000 security personnel, including Delhi Police, paramilitary forces and National Security Guard personnel, have been deployed around the venue.

Authorities are also using more than 1,000 CCTV cameras equipped with facial-recognition and number-plate detection capabilities to monitor movement around the area.

Security teams have further deployed the Abhigyan app for real-time fingerprint verification against a database containing details of more than one crore criminals.

Anti-Drone Measures in Place

Security agencies have also installed advanced anti-drone systems around the Red Fort.

Snipers and specialised response teams have been deployed as part of the multi-layered security arrangement. The measures are intended to address potential threats from both ground-based and aerial attacks during the Independence Day celebrations.

The UN assessment on AQIS and the heightened security deployment around the Red Fort underscore the continuing focus of Indian and international agencies on preventing extremist networks from exploiting regional instability and evolving financing and operational methods.