GURGAON/SRINAGAR: The arrest of a Kashmiri medical professor has led to one of the biggest counterterrorism seizures in recent years, with investigators across Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh uncovering nearly 2,900kg of explosives, a cache of assault rifles, pistols, chemicals, and electronic components.
Police said the network, allegedly linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH), had infiltrated academic and professional spaces—using encrypted channels, charity fronts, and university networks to move funds, radicalise recruits, and assemble explosives.
The probe began after JeM posters threatening violence appeared in Srinagar’s Bunpora Nowgam area on October 19, prompting a case under the UAPA, Explosive Substances Act, and Arms Act at Nowgam police station.
Arrest in Faridabad Uncovers “White-Collar” Terror Network
Investigations led police to Dr Muzamil Shakeel, 35, a medical professional from Pulwama, teaching at Al-Falah University in Faridabad’s Dhauj. He was arrested on October 30 after being linked to the posters. Shakeel managed the university hospital’s emergency wing and taught medical students.
During questioning, he allegedly revealed information about two rented premises in Dhauj. A raid on one site yielded 358kg of suspected ammonium nitrate, a Krinkov assault rifle with three magazines, 83 live cartridges, a pistol, and extensive bomb-making material—including timers, batteries, remote controls, and a walkie-talkie set.
A follow-up search in Dehar Colony on Monday uncovered a massive stockpile of 2,563kg of explosives and flammable substances, along with multiple weapons, including an AK-56, Krinkov, Chinese pistol, and Beretta, all loaded with ammunition.
“The sheer quantity of explosives indicates preparation for large-scale attacks,” a senior officer said.
Faridabad Police spokesperson Yashpal said raids were underway to identify accomplices, trace procurement chains, and confirm the source of the arms. Investigators are also probing whether Al-Falah University laboratories were used to synthesise high-grade explosives such as RDX.
A woman doctor from the same university is under questioning after an AK-47 allegedly linked to Muzamil was found in her Swift Dzire. Police said she may have lent her car unknowingly, but her role remains under review.
Before Muzamil’s arrest, U.P. police in Saharanpur had detained another Pulwama-based doctor, Adeel Majeed Rather, whose interrogation reportedly led investigators to Dhauj and exposed the explosive cache.
Faridabad Police Commissioner Satender Kumar Gupta said a terror module was in advanced stages of planning.
“While details cannot be disclosed for security reasons, joint teams from Haryana and J&K have dismantled a major network,” he said, adding that more arrests were expected.
J&K Police described it as a “major counterterrorism breakthrough”, identifying arrests across multiple districts — Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid, Molvi Irfan Ahmad, Zameer Ahmad Ahanger, Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie, and Dr Rather among them.
Coordinated operations were carried out in Srinagar, Anantnag, Ganderbal, Shopian, Faridabad, and Saharanpur.
