India, Nov. 17 -- Amid mounting scrutiny over the alleged use of 30 to 40 kilograms of ammonium nitrate sourced from a Pinangwan dealer to trigger last week's fatal blast near Delhi's Red Fort, towns and kasbahs across Nuh are abuzz with speculation around "naitrajan wali khad" or "tez khad". The nitrogen rich fertilizer, which is routinely used to give crops a leafy makeover, has suddenly become the centre of a terror investigation and left locals in disbelief over its alleged diversion for bomb making.

As an amateur reporter tasked with tracking illegal ammonium nitrate sales in Nuh, where high concentrations of the fertilizer are legally considered explosive, I found access to information scarce. Unlike Gurugram, where lifestyle and t...