Delhi Red Fort blast: Jaish’s ‘white-collar’ terror module was activated on Oct 4 at a wedding; six docs among 12 arrested
According to intelligence officials, the network used medical and academic institutions as cover to facilitate recruitment, logistics and funding for terror operations
Delhi Red Fort blast: The Delhi blast near the Red Fort on November 10 has led investigators to uncover a sophisticated ‘white-collar’ terror module operated by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The module allegedly involved doctors, professors and women members, all reportedly in direct contact with Pakistani handlers.
According to intelligence officials, the network used medical and academic institutions as cover to facilitate recruitment, logistics and funding for terror operations. The investigation has connected the module to multiple regions: Faridabad in Haryana, Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh.
Terror module was reportedly activated on October 4
The terror module was reportedly activated on October 4, during the wedding of Dr Adil and Dr Ruqaiya in Saharanpur. The event was attended by several “special guests,” whose identities are under verification by security agencies.
Just a day after the wedding, the group began its operations, putting up threat posters targeting Indian soldiers, arranging weapons and explosives and building funding channels under the guise of medical activities. Dr Adil handled logistics and finances while other members developed networks across multiple states.
Posters in Kashmir exposed the module
The first lead came when JeM posters appeared in Kashmir’s Nowgam area on October 19, following which the the police registered a case. By October 27, more than 25 such posters had surfaced, which led to an extensive probe involving more than 50 officials and the review of 60 CCTV cameras.
On October 31, surveillance footage captured Dr Adil near areas where the posters had been put up. Subsequent phone surveillance revealed that he was in direct contact with Pakistani handlers. His location was traced to Saharanpur and he was arrested on November 6.
The police also recovered an AK-47 rifle, grenades and explosive material from his possession. During interrogation, Adil revealed that Dr Muzammil Ganaie, a faculty member at Al-Falah University in Faridabad, was storing a large quantity of explosives. Acting on this input, the J&K Police raided Faridabad on November 9 and arrested Muzammil.
Doctors turned militants
Both Dr Muzammil and Dr Umar Nabi, residents of Koil village in Pulwama, had studied medicine together before allegedly turning to terrorism. Their homes are barely 800 meters apart. While Muzammil has been arrested, Umar was reportedly killed in the Red Fort blast when the explosives-laden car he was driving detonated.
Six doctors among 12 arrested
The investigation into the Delhi Red Fort blast has exposed a shocking network of educated individuals involved in terrorism. Out of the 12 people arrested so far, six are doctors, many of whom were associated with reputed medical institutions and universities.
Among those detained is Dr Shaheen Sayeed (45) from Lucknow, an MBBS and MD graduate who taught at Al Falah University, Faridabad. She is accused of being close to Dr. Muzammil and of handling chemical expertise for the module.
Dr Adil Ahmad (38) from Kulgam, Kashmir, currently residing in Saharanpur, UP, allegedly put up posters threatening soldiers and possessed an AK-47 rifle.
Dr Sajjad Ahmad (32) from Pulwama is believed to have links with the Pulwama terror cell led by Dr Umar.
Dr Muzammil Shakeel (36), an assistant professor at Al Falah University, was found storing nearly 2,900 kg of explosives.
Dr Parvez Ansari (41) from Lucknow, a faculty member at Integral University, was arrested after the police recovered documents and phones connected to the module.
Meanwhile, Dr Tazammul Ahmad Malik from Kulgam, who worked at SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, is also accused of aiding the terror network.
The key woman: Dr Shaheen Sayeed
One of the most crucial figures in the network is Dr Shaheen Sayeed, who reportedly maintained direct communication with Sadia Azhar, the sister of JeM chief Masood Azhar. Shaheen was an active member of Jamaat-ul-Momineen, a women’s wing founded by Sadia after her husband Yousuf Ahmed’s death.
Dr Shaheen, who completed her MBBS from Allahabad Medical College and served as an assistant professor at Kanpur Medical College for seven years, disappeared in 2021. She was later arrested from Al Falah University in Faridabad and taken to Srinagar for interrogation.
Investigators found that she had been recruiting women into extremist ideologies under the direction of Pakistani handlers. Meanwhile, her brother Dr Parvez, a professor at Integral Medical College in Lucknow, has also been arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
NIA takes over investigation
Following these developments, the Union Home Ministry has transferred the Delhi blast investigation to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).