Why terrorists use ammonium nitrate

Recently, the nation witnessed two major blasts: the first at the Red Fort complex in Delhi on November 10, and the second at the Nowgam police station in Srinagar on the night of November 14. However, there was no car bomb or terrorist attack on the second occasion; a large amount of explosives seized by the investigating agency was stored in the Nowgam police station, which exploded during the examination.

- SHAMIM HAQUE MONDAL

Experts initially concluded that explosives behind the two incidents were primarily made from ammonium nitrate, combined with fuel oil and detonators. The possibility of other powerful explosives such as PETN, SEMTEX, and RDX was feared, but it was later revealed that their quantity was small.

Why ammonium nitrate? It is a white crystalline powder substance, which is commonly used as a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to increase crop yields. The country has just witnessed how dangerous the use of this seemingly harmless chemical can be. A powerful shock wave is generated during the explosion, which causes the surrounding area to shake and the explosion to spread. That is why it is widely used in the mining and construction industries.