Internal Security / Explosives & Public Safety
A deadly explosion at the Nowgam police station in Srinagar occurred when seized explosives—mainly ammonium nitrate recovered from a terror-linked doctor in Faridabad—accidentally detonated, killing nine people. Ammonium nitrate is one of the most widely misused substances in Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) because it is easily available and becomes highly explosive when mixed with fuel.
Beyond its misuse in terrorism, ammonium nitrate also has niche lawful applications. It is used in instant cold packs due to its endothermic dissolution, has experimental applications in off-grid cooling systems, and was once used in certain airbag inflators, though this practice was discontinued for safety reasons.
MCQ
Why is ammonium nitrate frequently used in IEDs?
- It is easily available and becomes highly explosive when mixed with fuel
- It is a naturally occurring explosive mineral
- It detonates without any triggering mechanism
- It is primarily manufactured only for military use
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