New Delhi, Nov 12: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Jammu and Kashmir Police are jointly investigating a pan-India “Doctor Terror Module” allegedly linked to the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and suspected to be behind the Red Fort blast that occurred on November 10 at 6:52 pm.
So far, 15 people have been arrested and three detained in connection with the case, while 56 doctors have been questioned.
According to sources, hospital examinations confirmed that no explosives were found on the bodies of the deceased, suggesting that a modified explosive device might have been used. The investigation originated from a case registered in Srinagar’s Nowgam Police Station on October 19 after objectionable posters threatening security forces surfaced in the area.
Between October 20 and 27, police arrested Maulvi Irfan Ahmed Wagh from Shopian and Zamir Ahmed from Wakura, Ganderbal. The probe expanded after the arrest of Dr. Adil from Saharanpur on November 5. Subsequent raids led to the seizure of an AK-47 rifle and ammunition from Anantnag Hospital on November 7, and additional weapons from Al-Falah University in Faridabad on November 8.
Interrogations revealed more members of the network, leading to the arrest of Dr. Muzammil and recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition. On November 9, a suspect identified as Madrasi from Dhauj, Faridabad, was also arrested.
A major breakthrough came on November 10, when 2,563 kg of explosives were recovered from the house of Hafiz Mohammad Ishtiyaq, an Imam at Al-Falah Masjid in Dhera Colony, Faridabad. Additional raids uncovered another 358 kg of explosives, detonators, and timers, bringing the total recovery to nearly 3,000 kg.
Police said that during the crackdown, Dr. Umar Mohammad — an employee of Al-Falah University and an alleged member of the module — went underground. Later that evening, the blast near Delhi’s Red Fort took place.
Teams from the Delhi Police, NIA, NSG, and forensic departments rushed to the site, where 12 people were killed and several injured. Investigators recovered DNA samples, explosive residues, and an amputated hand suspected to belong to Dr. Umar. DNA matching is being conducted using samples taken from his mother in Pulwama.
Investigations suggest that Umar had been radicalising students at Al-Falah University, which served as the operational hub of the module. His colleague, Dr. Muzamil Shakil, has also been arrested.
The car used in the blast was registered to Dr. Shaheen Shahid, who was arrested from Lucknow and identified as the alleged mastermind handling JeM’s operations in India. She reportedly confessed to stockpiling explosives for nearly two years and plotting a major terror attack with her associates.
CCTV footage reportedly shows Dr. Umar driving the explosive-laden car, and the materials used in the blast match those seized in Faridabad. Authorities are investigating whether the explosion was a pre-planned attack or an accidental detonation triggered as Umar attempted to flee.
Investigators also found that the vehicle had been parked at Al-Falah Medical College in Dhauj, Faridabad, for about 11 days before being driven to Delhi on November 10.
The case was officially handed over to the NIA on November 11 to probe the module’s funding sources, command structure, and nationwide network.
