Why SVBIEDs Are Far Deadlier Than Person-Borne Explosive Attacks
As per a TOI report, the danger of a VBIED (Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device) lies not only in the explosive material but in the vehicle itself. When detonated, parts of the car, doors, chassis, engine blocks, and glass, are transformed into high-velocity projectiles. This secondary fragmentation drastically increases casualties and destruction, extending far beyond the initial blast radius. Unlike conventional explosives that rely on added shrapnel like nails or pellets, a car packed with high-grade explosives becomes a weapon in itself.
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This tactic was seen in the Pulwama attack of 2019, where 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 Detecting and Preventing Vehicle-Borne Attacks Is Incredibly Difficult
Experts highlight that SVBIEDs are notoriously hard to prevent due to the combination of stealth and the bomber’s absolute commitment. “An SVBIED is typically concealed within an ordinary civilian vehicle, indistinguishable from traffic until detonation,” explained a retired officer from Delhi Police’s special cell.
This operational flexibility allows attackers to choose the exact time and location of the blast, adapting in real-time to security measures. With the driver willing to self-destruct, traditional deterrence, negotiation, or law enforcement tactics become ineffective.
How a Car Turns into a High-Velocity Weapon During an Explosion
The physics of a VBIED makes it particularly lethal. When explosives detonate inside a vehicle, the resulting supersonic blast wave tears the car apart. Engine components, metal sheets, glass shards, and other dense fragments are hurled at extreme speeds, acting as lethal projectiles.
“High-grade explosives within the confined space of a car make additional shrapnel unnecessary. The blast alone is sufficient to rip apart the vehicle, creating widespread penetrating trauma and structural damage,” said a retired anti-terror officer.
The harm is multi-layered:
- Primary blast wave: Causes severe overpressure, damaging lungs, ears, bowels, and other air-filled organs, often fatally.
- Secondary projectiles: High-velocity car fragments injure bystanders, penetrating flesh and buildings alike.
- Tertiary impact: Victims are thrown into surrounding structures or vehicles, compounding injuries.
- Secondary fireball: The car’s fuel ignites, causing catastrophic burns.
This combination makes SVBIEDs among the deadliest forms of urban terrorism.
Intelligence-Led Approaches Are Critical to Prevent Future VBIED Attacks
Security agencies stress that predicting and preventing VBIED attacks demands robust, intelligence-driven strategies. Monitoring precursor activities, such as suspicious purchases, thefts, or the movement of explosive materials like fertilisers, is critical. Public awareness is equally essential; civilians must report loitering, repeated reconnaissance, or individuals photographing high-value targets.
“Attackers meticulously study security weaknesses, patterns, and response times before executing their plans,” said an officer from a central security agency.
At checkpoints, tactical vigilance is key. Officers are trained to spot:
- Vehicles sitting unusually low due to concealed payloads.
- Drivers displaying extreme stress or hyper-focus.
- Suspicious parking or driving patterns.
Additionally, urban infrastructure can be modified to mitigate damage, such as:
- Installing reinforced bollards and barriers.
- Designing serpentine access points to slow down vehicles.
- Creating stand-off zones around high-risk locations.
These measures, combined with public vigilance, remain the best defence against an unpredictable VBIED threat.
The Unseen Challenge: SVBIEDs Represent a Growing Threat to Urban Safety
Monday’s attack has shaken Delhi and highlighted a chilling truth: vehicle-borne suicide bombings are extremely difficult to detect and stop, yet their catastrophic consequences are undeniable. Anti-terror agencies must now adapt, combining intelligence, public awareness, and tactical countermeasures to prevent another urban tragedy.
In an era where ordinary vehicles can transform into deadly weapons, awareness and preparedness are the only shields against an invisible and lethal threat.
Inputs from TOI