Investigators sought an opinion from forensics on whether PETN, semtex or RDX could have been used NEW DELHI: There is mystery over the kind of explosive or chemical used in Monday’s blast with the forensics and NSG’s explosive wing yet to submit their report. However, prima facie assessment points towards the use of military-grade explosives, given the scale of damages and casualties. Sources said investigators on Tuesday sought an opinion from forensics on whether PETN, semtex or RDX could have been used. The initial assessment also points towards the possible use of ammonium nitrate fuel oil and detonators. The nitrate oil is used both industrially and in improvised explosive devices due to its easy availability and cost-effectiveness. The forensic teams have collected roughly 42 exhibits from the site and put them through lab testing. The exhibits include the i20 car’s tyres, chassis, CGC cylinder and parts of the bonnet, besides other residues and traces of powder found at the site. They will help determine the types of high-exposure materials used in the explosion. Pentaerythritol tetranitrate, or PETN, is a major ingredient of semtex and belongs to the same chemical family as nitroglycerin. One of the most powerful explosives, it is preferred by terrorists because its colourless crystals are hard to detect. A very small quantity of this explosive is required to carry out a blast in comparison to other chemicals. For example, the explosive substance used in the foiled transatlantic air freight bomb plot in 2010 was concealed in a printer cartridge. “PETN is quite stable and detonated either by heat or a shock wave. A car can be destroyed in around 100 grams. Most importantly, neither PETN nor semtex inherently require pellets or shrapnel to act as an explosive and the material itself is enough to cause immense damage through detonation,” said an officer. On the other hand, ammonium nitrate fuel oil produces a supersonic shock wave rather than a subsonic burn, which means energy is released at an extremely high rate, creating a powerful shock effect. In the Delhi High Court blast of 2011, the initial opinion of forensic experts, including that of National Security Guard, was that a mix of ammonium nitrate with PETN was used. However, the home ministry had said later that RDX was used in it. Sources said there would be complete clarity on the explosive used in Monday’s blast in a few days. Investigators suspect a proper detonation system was in place to blow the car, which was rigged with high-end explosives. A watch and its small button batteries may have been used for building the circuit and triggering the bomb.About the AuthorRaj Shekhar JhaRaj Shekhar Jha is a journalist for the Times of India with over a decade of experience in reporting on national security, terrorism, crime and prisons.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMaha Gajraj Exercise: IAF Conducts Highway Landing Operations Near Barmer-Jalore Border12 Killed In Car Bomb Blast In Islamabad; PM Sharif Blames ‘India-Sponsored Terrorist Proxies”Hunt Down Every…’: Amit Shah Says Delhi Car Blast Culprits To Face ‘Full Wrath Of Agencies’Bihar Exit Polls 2025: Poll of Polls Show NDA Poised For Majority, MGB Trails, No Impact of JSP’Op Sindoor Taught Us…’: Army Chief Dwivedi On Role Of Modern Tech In Warfare At Cavalry Seminar‘We Love India’: Bhutan King Reaffirms Ties As PM Modi Unveils Connectivity, Energy BoostBangladesh Elections: Awami League, BNP Allege Lawlessness Under Yunus, Fear Violence In PollsIndia Tells UNSC To Enforce Zero-Tolerance On Terror Strictly Hours After Delhi Blast Kills Twelve’No Silver Medals In War’: CDS Chauhan Highlights India’s Technological Leap Amid Rising ThreatsLucknow Doctor Tasked By JeM To Form Women’s Terror Wing In India, Police Link To Delhi Blast Probe123Photostories3 popular breakfasts you should stop giving your kids and whyExclusive – Bigg Boss 19: From addressing his romantic link-up with Ashnoor Kaur, Pranit More evicting him to ex-wife’s cheating allegations on him: Abhishek Bajaj breaks silenceMantra You Should Chant According To Your Birth DateFunny parenting quotes every tired mom and dad will relate toFathers who feel deeply: Rare and underrated quotes about modern dadsThe gut repairs overnight: 6 bedtime drinks that helpHow to choose a perfectly ripe avocado every time from the clues present on its skin8 Bollywood actresses who swear by ghee every morning and whyTop trending gold chain designs of 20256 courageous freedom fighters of the Indian independence struggle that remain unsung to date123Hot PicksBihar Election CandidatesBihar Election ConstituenciesBihar Election 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingWho is Brittany MillerSan Jose SharksDelhi Car BlastWWE Raw HighlightsMichael Willis Cause of DeathCade CunninghamStephen CurryCandace OwensMLB Trade RumorsDennis Hildeby
NEW DELHI: There is mystery over the kind of explosive or chemical used in Monday’s blast with the forensics and NSG’s explosive wing yet to submit their report. However, prima facie assessment points towards the use of military-grade explosives, given the scale of damages and casualties. Sources said investigators on Tuesday sought an opinion from forensics on whether PETN, semtex or RDX could have been used. The initial assessment also points towards the possible use of ammonium nitrate fuel oil and detonators. The nitrate oil is used both industrially and in improvised explosive devices due to its easy availability and cost-effectiveness. The forensic teams have collected roughly 42 exhibits from the site and put them through lab testing. The exhibits include the i20 car’s tyres, chassis, CGC cylinder and parts of the bonnet, besides other residues and traces of powder found at the site. They will help determine the types of high-exposure materials used in the explosion. Pentaerythritol tetranitrate, or PETN, is a major ingredient of semtex and belongs to the same chemical family as nitroglycerin. One of the most powerful explosives, it is preferred by terrorists because its colourless crystals are hard to detect. A very small quantity of this explosive is required to carry out a blast in comparison to other chemicals. For example, the explosive substance used in the foiled transatlantic air freight bomb plot in 2010 was concealed in a printer cartridge. “PETN is quite stable and detonated either by heat or a shock wave. A car can be destroyed in around 100 grams. Most importantly, neither PETN nor semtex inherently require pellets or shrapnel to act as an explosive and the material itself is enough to cause immense damage through detonation,” said an officer. On the other hand, ammonium nitrate fuel oil produces a supersonic shock wave rather than a subsonic burn, which means energy is released at an extremely high rate, creating a powerful shock effect. In the Delhi High Court blast of 2011, the initial opinion of forensic experts, including that of National Security Guard, was that a mix of ammonium nitrate with PETN was used. However, the home ministry had said later that RDX was used in it. Sources said there would be complete clarity on the explosive used in Monday’s blast in a few days. Investigators suspect a proper detonation system was in place to blow the car, which was rigged with high-end explosives. A watch and its small button batteries may have been used for building the circuit and triggering the bomb.
