UN Report Links 2025 Red Fort Blast to AQIS, Warns of Expanding Regional Network

A United Nations assessment has linked the November 2025 attack near Delhi’s Red Fort to Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), warning that the group is evolving into a more organised regional terrorist entity with expanding financial and logistical networks.

The finding was included in the 38th report of the UN Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, submitted to the Security Council committee overseeing sanctions related to Islamic State, Al-Qaida and affiliated groups.

The report said AQIS had moved beyond its earlier fragmented structure and was developing into a regional organisation. Rather than relying on large formations, the group was increasingly operating through decentralised, small and dispersed cells, supported by developing financial and logistical networks.

“The attack in November 2025 on the Red Fort in Delhi was officially attributed to AQIS,” the report said.

The UN team also raised concerns about AQIS potentially expanding its activities into neighbouring countries, particularly Bangladesh, where the group could seek to establish new cells.

The assessment comes amid what the UN described as a worsening security environment in parts of South Asia. While the overall global terrorist threat was assessed as broadly unchanged, the report said terrorist activity had intensified in regions including the Sahel and South Asia.

The report also highlighted continuing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, where cross-border attacks have contributed to repeated military confrontations. It said Taliban authorities continued to deny allegations that they were harbouring terrorist organisations, while member states remained concerned that the conflict could create opportunities for extremist groups.

According to the assessment, the continued presence and operational capability of multiple terrorist organisations in Afghanistan remain a long-term security concern for neighbouring countries and Central Asia. The UN team said Taliban efforts against Islamic State-Khorasan and other militant organisations had not succeeded in fully addressing the broader terrorist threat.

The report further said AQIS had become the backbone of Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan, which was reportedly linked to several attacks. It added that AQIS leaders were believed to remain in Kabul and had reportedly received Afghan identity documents, developments that the report cited as indications of close links between the organisation and Taliban authorities.

The UN assessment also pointed to Al-Qaida's continuing ideological and operational influence over Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). According to the report, Al-Qaida has provided ideological guidance, training and other support to TTP. In April, Al-Qaida's official media outlet publicly endorsed the Taliban and, for the first time, expressed support for TTP's operations against Pakistan.

The findings underline concerns that militant networks operating from Afghanistan could continue to influence security conditions across South Asia, particularly as regional tensions create opportunities for extremist organisations to expand their activities and establish new logistical links.

The UN Security Council's sanctions framework covering Islamic State, Al-Qaida and associated groups dates back to resolutions adopted since 1999. Its Monitoring Team provides independent assessments twice a year to help member states evaluate terrorist threats and implement measures including asset freezes, travel bans and arms embargoes.

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