Red Fort to CBSE Exams: What You Need to Know About Delhi's New Terror Alert

The shadow of November is back over the national capital. On February 21, security forces drastically ramped up their presence around the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk following specific, actionable intelligence from central agencies. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the Pakistan-based terror group, is reportedly plotting Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks against high-footfall religious sites in Delhi.

This matters because the threat is explicitly retaliatory. Handlers are framing this plot as "vengeance" for the February 6 suicide bombing at a mosque in Islamabad that claimed 31 lives. Coming just months after the deadly November 2025 car explosion near the Red Fort, the current alert has triggered the deployment of bomb disposal squads, Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs), and commandos across Old Delhi's heritage structures.

The "BigStory" Angle (The "Hybrid" Shift & Deepfakes)

Mainstream reports are focusing entirely on the physical deployment of commandos. They are missing the Evolving Terror Doctrine.

According to the Intelligence Bureau (IB), LeT is actively pivoting away from highly trained, clandestine sleeper cells. Instead, they are utilizing "Hybrid Terrorists"—ordinary citizens or petty criminals who are radicalized remotely to plant IEDs and blend back into the population. The recent arrest of an operative in Punjab on February 11, who was carrying an IED intended for a major city, is a direct hallmark of this decentralized strategy.

Furthermore, watch the AI Information Warfare angle. Security agencies are currently monitoring encrypted platforms like Telegram, where handlers are deploying AI-generated audio and video deepfakes. These manipulated media files are being used to rapidly radicalize "foot soldiers" and spread panic-inducing rumors across the border, effectively weaponizing artificial intelligence to execute traditional terror plots.

The Context (Rapid Fire)

The Trigger: Following the February 6 mosque blast in Islamabad, LeT vowed retribution against Indian targets, leading to the interception of the Chandni Chowk plot.
The Backstory: Delhi is already on edge. On November 10, 2025, a deadly car explosion near the Red Fort Metro Station killed 13 people and exposed a massive cross-border terror module.
The Escalation: The panic has spilled into the education sector. On February 19, multiple institutions, including the CRPF Public School, were forced into mass evacuations after receiving bomb threat emails right in the middle of CBSE Class 12 board exams.

Key Players (The Chessboard)

Intelligence Bureau (The Watchers): The central agency that flagged the specific "avenge attack" alert, noting the terror group's desperate push to regain operational relevance through urban strikes.
Delhi Police (The Shield): Senior officials are currently maintaining strict, on-ground tactical responses, noting that surveillance and multi-layered security have been intensified at all sensitive points.
The "Hybrid" Operatives (The Foot Soldiers): Decentralized, often un-profiled individuals recruited via social media to execute low-cost, high-impact IED placements.

The Implications (Your Wallet & World)

Short Term (Commuters): If you are visiting crowded religious sites, heritage markets, or major transit hubs in Delhi-NCR, expect 15 to 20-minute delays due to enhanced secondary frisking and barricading.
Long Term (Public Vigilance): With 43 lakh students taking CBSE exams through March, parents and school administrators must maintain heightened awareness. Authorities urge the public to immediately report any "unclaimed" bags, electronics, or suspicious movement to the 112 emergency helpline.

The Closing Question

With terror groups utilizing AI deepfakes and decentralized "hybrid" recruits to bypass traditional security nets, do you think our current intelligence gathering relies too heavily on physical surveillance? Tell us in the comments.

FAQs

Q: What is the current terror alert in Delhi for February 2026?
A: Intelligence agencies have issued a high alert warning that Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) is plotting IED attacks in major cities, specifically targeting religious sites and crowded markets in Old Delhi.
Q: Which Delhi temple is under threat from Lashkar-e-Taiba?
A: While specific names are withheld for security, intelligence inputs highlight that prominent religious sites in the Chandni Chowk area, near the Red Fort, are primary targets for the planned strikes.
Q: Are Delhi schools safe after the recent bomb threat emails?
A: Yes, following the February 19 evacuations of schools like CRPF Public, police conducted sweeping clearances and declared the threats hoaxes. However, security remains heightened during the ongoing CBSE board exams.
Q: Why has security been tightened at the Red Fort?
A: Security has been increased due to specific LeT threats and the historical context of the deadly November 2025 car bombing that occurred near the Red Fort Metro Station.

Sources:

Brajesh Mishra Associate Editor

Brajesh Mishra is an Associate Editor at BIGSTORY NETWORK, specializing in daily news from India with a keen focus on AI, technology, and the automobile sector. He brings sharp editorial judgment and a passion for delivering accurate, engaging, and timely stories to a diverse audience.