New Delhi: Fifteen people have been arrested and three detained in connection with the so-called “Doctor Terror Module,” allegedly linked to the Pakistan-based outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and suspected to be behind the Red Fort blast that occurred on November 10 at 6:52 pm.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police made the arrests, questioning at least 56 doctors as part of the ongoing probe.
According to hospital sources, no explosives were found on the victims’ bodies, leading investigators to suspect the use of a modified explosive device. The case first emerged after an objectionable poster carrying threats to security forces appeared in the Nowgam Police Station area of Srinagar on October 19, prompting an FIR.
In the first phase of the investigation, police arrested Maulvi Irfan Ahmed Wagh from Shopian and Zamir Ahmed from Wakura, Ganderbal, between October 20 and 27. The probe later expanded with the arrest of Dr. Adil from Saharanpur on November 5. On November 7, police recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition from Anantnag Hospital, followed by additional weapons seized from Al Falah University in Faridabad on November 8.
Subsequent interrogations led to the arrest of Dr. Muzammil and the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition. On November 9, a man identified as Madrasi, a resident of Dhoj, Faridabad, was taken into custody.
A major breakthrough came on November 10 when authorities recovered 2,563 kg of explosives from the residence of Hafiz Mohammad Ishtiyaq, the Imam of Al Falah Masjid in Dhera Colony, Faridabad. Additional raids yielded another 358 kg of explosive material, detonators, and timers—bringing the total to nearly 3,000 kg.
Police sources said that during these operations, Dr. Umar Mohammad, an employee of Al Falah University and a suspected key module member, went underground. Later that evening, the Red Fort explosion took place.
Delhi Police, along with the NSG, NIA, and forensic teams, launched a coordinated response. Evidence, including DNA samples and explosive residues, was collected from the site. Investigators discovered an amputated hand believed to belong to Dr. Umar, suspected to have been the suicide bomber. DNA samples from his mother are being matched for confirmation.
Preliminary findings suggest that Umar was radicalising students at Al Falah University, which functioned as the group’s operational base. His colleague and neighbor, Dr. Muzamil Shakil, has also been arrested.
Investigators later traced the car used in the blast to Dr. Shaheen Shahid, who was arrested in Lucknow. Identified as the alleged commander of JeM operations in India, she reportedly admitted to hoarding explosives for nearly two years and plotting the attack with other module members.
“CCTV footage shows Dr. Umar driving the vehicle,” police sources said, adding that the explosives used in the blast match those recovered in Faridabad.
Officials are still determining whether the blast was a pre-planned detonation or an accidental explosion triggered while Umar was fleeing.
The vehicle, investigators found, had been parked at Al Falah Medical College in Dhauj, Faridabad, for nearly 11 days—between October 29 and November 10—before it was driven to Delhi.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) formally took over the case on November 11 to examine the module’s funding, command structure, and wider operational network.
