The United Nations Security Council has officially attributed the November 2025 Red Fort attack in New Delhi to Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), according to a newly released report by the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team. The report, published on August 10, 2026, states that the attack, which killed 11 people and injured dozens, was conducted by AQIS, marking a significant shift in the official narrative surrounding the incident. Previously, the attack had been linked to the Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The report notes that while one member state had previously attributed several attacks to JeM, including the Red Fort blast, the current assessment affirms AQIS as the responsible party. The attack occurred on November 10, 2025, near the Red Fort metro station in New Delhi. A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near a slow-moving car, causing extensive damage and casualties. According to investigators, the car belonged to Umar-e-Nabi, a former assistant professor of medicine at Al-Falah University in Faridabad. He was identified as the primary perpetrator and died in the explosion. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) later alleged that the attack was part of a larger terror conspiracy inspired by AQIS. This attribution has now received international validation from the UN Security Council. AQIS, a regional affiliate of Al-Qaeda, has been evolving from a fragmented group into a more organized and decentralized terrorist entity. The report indicates that AQIS has developed logistics and financial networks, enabling it to operate through smaller, scattered cells rather than large, centralized units. This structure makes it harder for security agencies to track and dismantle the organization. The Red Fort attack is presented as clear evidence of AQIS’s growing operational capacity. The report also expresses concern that AQIS may be attempting to expand its influence into Bangladesh by establishing new operational cells, thereby increasing its reach across South Asia. In addition to the Red Fort attack, the report highlights ongoing threats posed by both AQIS and the Islamic State (ISIL/Da’esh). Both groups have demonstrated sustained interest in developing chemical and biological weapons, though they have faced technical challenges in doing so. Instructions on creating such weapons have been widely circulated within online terrorist communities. For instance, ISIL’s English-language publication Invade featured detailed guidance on producing botulinum toxin and cyanide in February 2026. ISIL-K, a branch of ISIL, has shown particular interest in ricin, with instructions on its production circulating over the past year. In late 2025, Indian authorities arrested three individuals, including a doctor, who were allegedly tasked by an ISIL cell abroad to develop ricin. The report also addresses the persistent threat emanating from Afghanistan, where the Taliban continues to deny harboring terrorist groups. However, the report notes that the conflict in the country remains a source of instability, creating opportunities for terrorist organizations to operate. The de facto authorities in Afghanistan have struggled to suppress the activities of groups such as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan (ISIL-K) and others. The report warns that the ability of these groups to function in Afghanistan poses a long-term threat to neighboring regions, including South Asia. Meanwhile, the report documents increased cross-border violence between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Taliban has been accused of providing support to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), leading to a surge in attacks against Pakistani security forces. This has prompted retaliatory military actions and heightened tensions along the border. AQIS has also been linked to attacks attributed to the Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan (IMP), including a suicide bombing and a vehicle-borne explosive attack near a security post in Bannu, Pakistan. These incidents underscore the complex and interconnected nature of terrorism in the region. The report concludes by noting the increasing use of artificial intelligence by terrorist organizations and their supporters. Operatives have begun leveraging AI tools, such as ChatGPT, to access information related to bomb-making and other illicit activities. This trend presents new challenges for counterterrorism efforts, requiring updated strategies to address the evolving tactics of extremist groups. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community will need to remain vigilant in monitoring and responding to the threats posed by AQIS and other terrorist entities.
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