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.

A series of major developments dominated international headlines on Wednesday, with US President Donald Trump announcing the departure of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Iran rejecting Washington’s claim of control over the Strait of Hormuz, and Pakistan carrying out fresh airstrikes in Balochistan amid renewed attacks by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).

Meanwhile, two US Army soldiers were killed in an Apache helicopter crash in Texas, while Washington announced plans to withdraw its remaining troops from Iraq by September 30. Europe also witnessed a rare total solar eclipse, while fresh developments emerged in the investigation into the 2025 Red Fort blast in Delhi.

Karoline Leavitt to Leave White House

US President Donald Trump has announced that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down from her position by the end of August.

Trump said the 28-year-old official was leaving the role to spend more time with her family following the birth of her daughter, Viviana, in May. He said Leavitt would continue as one of his senior outside advisers.

Leavitt also confirmed her decision, saying the demands of the press secretary's job made it difficult for her to give sufficient time and attention to her two young children.

She became the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary when Trump appointed her at the age of 27.

Iran Rejects Trump’s Hormuz Claim

Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz remain high after Trump claimed that the United States had “total control” over the strategic waterway.

Iran rejected the statement, with the Persian Gulf Strait Authority saying that claims by US officials had not changed the situation and that the strait would remain blocked until Tehran's conditions were accepted.

Iranian officials have linked reopening the waterway to demands including an end to the US war and blockade, the release of frozen Iranian assets and a wider regional ceasefire.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy routes, carrying a significant share of global petroleum trade.

Pakistan Strikes Balochistan

Pakistan has launched fresh airstrikes in Balochistan following a series of attacks claimed by the BLA.

According to the information provided, intelligence sources said strikes in Surab and Gwadar killed at least 21 civilians, including women and children. The claims could not immediately be independently verified.

The BLA has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks targeting Pakistani security forces and said it had killed 32 soldiers during attacks this month.

The insurgent group reportedly attacked police and military targets at several locations, including Chagai, Jhao, Khuzdar, Wadh and Manguchar.

Two US Soldiers Killed

Two US Army soldiers were killed after an AH-64E Apache attack helicopter crashed near Salado in Texas during routine operations.

The helicopter, based at Fort Hood, crashed into a rural field in Bell County, triggering a large grass fire. Nearby residents were briefly evacuated as emergency teams worked to contain the blaze.

The identities of the soldiers had not been released at the time of the report. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

US to Leave Iraq by September 30

Iraq has announced September 30 as the deadline for the withdrawal of remaining US military forces from the country.

The announcement marks the planned end of a US military presence that began with the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Washington and Baghdad had previously agreed to wind down the US-led military mission against Islamic State. Iraqi security forces are expected to take the lead in counterterrorism operations.

The US military presence in Iraq expanded significantly after Islamic State captured large areas of Iraq and Syria in 2014, before coalition combat operations were formally brought to an end in 2021.

Red Fort Blast Linked to AQIS

A United Nations Security Council monitoring team has attributed the November 2025 blast near Delhi's Red Fort to Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), according to its latest assessment.

The finding adds an international dimension to India's ongoing investigation into the terror-related explosion.

The UN report also warned that Al-Qaeda and Islamic State-linked groups continue to explore chemical and biological capabilities and are increasingly examining cryptocurrencies as a means of financing operations.

Security has been significantly tightened around the Red Fort ahead of India's Independence Day celebrations.

Air India Pilot Under DGCA Probe

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is investigating an alleged safety incident involving an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi.

According to reports, the pilot-in-command allegedly left the cockpit during the flight, entered the passenger cabin and asked crew members for a lighter to smoke. The flight had also reportedly experienced a sudden altitude loss that left passengers and crew injured.

The pilot later tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory laboratory test, according to reports cited in the supplied material.

Both pilots have been removed from flying duties pending the investigation. Air India has said it maintains a zero-tolerance approach to conduct that could compromise passenger safety.

Europe Watches Total Eclipse

A rare total solar eclipse swept across parts of Europe on August 12, drawing large crowds in Spain and Iceland.

In Spain, spectators gathered at designated viewing locations as the Moon completely covered the Sun for a brief period, turning the sky dark.

Authorities had prepared for millions of visitors, particularly in rural regions along the eclipse path. Cloud cover limited visibility in parts of Iceland, although some observers were able to see the phenomenon through breaks in the clouds.

Other Major Global Developments

In other developments, talks between Venezuela's interim government and opposition concluded with agreements on judicial reforms and efforts to access frozen Bank of England funds.

In the United States, Meta faced a major California trial over allegations that Facebook and Instagram were deliberately designed to be addictive to children.

A Chicago jury also awarded $29 million to the family of Michael Ryan, a UN World Food Programme engineer killed in the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX crash.

Meanwhile, rescue operations continued in Colombia after a devastating earthquake, with the reported death toll reaching 265 and hundreds of people still missing.