Killer on wheels: How Delhi’s first suicide car bombing exposes a hidden, deadly and nearly impossible-to-detect VBIED threat
Why Are SVBIEDs So Much More Deadly Than Person-Induced Explosive Attacks?
According to the TOI report, the danger of VBIED (Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device) lies not only in the explosive material but also in the vehicle itself. When exploded, parts of the car, doors, chassis, engine blocks and glass turn into high-speed projectiles. This secondary fragmentation extends far beyond the initial explosion radius, greatly increasing casualties and destruction. Unlike conventional explosives, which rely on additional shrapnel such as nails or pellets, a car filled with high-grade explosives becomes a weapon in itself.
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This tactic was seen in the Pulwama attack in 2019, when a JeM suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a CRPF convoy, killing 40 personnel. Another incident occurred in 2022 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, when a modified car carrying explosives and LPG cylinders exploded instantly, killing the driver. Such attacks are rare in India, but when they occur, they leave devastating consequences.
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Why Are Vehicle-borne Attacks Incredibly Difficult to Detect and Prevent?
Experts emphasize that SVBIEDs are extremely difficult to intercept due to the combination of stealth and the bomber’s absolute determination. “SVBIED is typically concealed inside an ordinary civilian vehicle and is indistinguishable from traffic until it explodes,” explained a retired officer of the Delhi Police’s special cell.
This operational flexibility allows attackers to choose the exact time and location of the explosion and adapt to security measures in real time. With the driver willing to self-destruct, traditional deterrence, negotiation, or law enforcement tactics become ineffective.
How Does a Car Turn into a High-Speed Weapon During an Explosion?
VBIED’s physics make it particularly lethal. When explosives detonate inside a vehicle, the resulting supersonic blast wave shatters the car into pieces. Engine parts, metal sheets, glass shards and other dense fragments are thrown at extreme speeds and act as lethal projectiles.
“High-grade explosives within the confined space of a car make additional shrapnel unnecessary. The explosion alone is enough to shatter the vehicle, creating extensive penetrating trauma and structural damage,” said a retired counterterrorism officer.
The damage is multi-layered:
- Primary blast wave: Causes severe overpressure, damages lungs, ears, intestines, and other air-filled organs, and is often fatal.
- Secondary projectiles: High-speed car fragments penetrate flesh and buildings, injuring bystanders.
- Tertiary effect: Victims are thrown into surrounding structures or vehicles, increasing injuries.
- Secondary fireball: The car’s fuel ignites, causing severe burns.
This combination makes SVBIEDs among the deadliest forms of urban terrorism.
Intelligence-Driven Approaches Are Critical to Preventing Future VBIED Attacks
Security agencies emphasize that predicting and preventing VBIED attacks requires robust, intelligence-driven strategies. It is critical to monitor precursor activity such as suspicious purchases, thefts, or the movement of explosive materials such as fertilizer. Public awareness is equally important; Civilians should report loitering, continuous reconnaissance, or anyone photographing high-value targets.
“Attackers meticulously examine security weaknesses, patterns and response times before executing their plans,” said an official at a central security agency.
Tactical attention is crucial at checkpoints. Officers are trained to detect:
- Vehicles sit unusually low due to hidden loads.
- Drivers who exhibit excessive stress or extreme focus.
- Questionable parking or driving patterns.
Additionally, urban infrastructure can be modified to reduce damage as follows:
- Installing reinforced bollards and barriers.
- Designing curved access points to slow vehicles down.
- Creating remote zones around high-risk locations.
These measures, combined with public vigilance, remain the best defense against an unforeseen VBIED threat.
The Unseen Challenge: SVBIEDs Represent a Growing Threat to Urban Security
Monday’s attack shook Delhi and revealed a chilling truth: Drive-by suicide attacks are extremely difficult to detect and stop, but their disastrous consequences are undeniable. Counterterrorism agencies must now adapt, combining intelligence, public awareness and tactical countermeasures to prevent another urban tragedy.
In an age where ordinary vehicles can become deadly weapons, the only shield against an invisible and deadly threat is awareness and preparedness.
Inputs from TOI
