The Seven Faces Behind The Terror Module
Hours before a devastating car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort claimed nine lives, authorities smashed a sophisticated terror network. The Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested seven individuals allegedly plotting attacks across multiple states. These suspects represented a disturbing shift in militant recruitment strategies, specifically targeting educated professionals.
The terror module maintained direct connections with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. Unlike traditional recruitment methods, this network focused on recruiting doctors, clerics, and businessmen. The investigation began after threatening JeM posters appeared in Srinagar’s Nowgam area on October 19. This discovery led authorities down a path revealing one of the most sophisticated terror networks ever uncovered.
Who Were The 7 Arrested Suspects?
1. Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganai – The Educated Radical
Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganai hailed from Koil village in Pulwama, Kashmir. He worked at Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences and Research Centre in Faridabad for three and a half years. The 35-year-old doctor taught MBBS students while allegedly planning terror activities. Police arrested him first among the terror module suspects in this operation. Moreover, authorities seized 358 kilograms of explosives from his rented residence in Dhauj, Faridabad. Additionally, officials recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, timers, and other bomb-making equipment from his accommodation.
The breakthrough came when officers discovered Ganai maintained close connections with two other doctors. He used the alias Musaib among associates within the network. His interrogation revealed the existence of a wider conspiracy spanning across Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
2. Dr Adeel Majeed Rather – The Medical Professional Turned Militant
Dr Adeel Majeed Rather came from Qazigund in Anantnag district, south Kashmir. He graduated from Government Medical College, Srinagar, in 2018 after completing his MBBS. Furthermore, he earned his MD in General Medicine in 2022 from the same institution. Rather worked as a senior resident at Government Medical College, Anantnag, from October 2022 to October 2024. Authorities arrested him in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, following Ganai’s interrogation.
Police discovered an AK-47 rifle inside his locker at GMC Anantnag. Investigators questioned how he retained access to the locker after leaving employment. His arrest provided crucial links to the Faridabad explosive storage facility. Besides, Rather maintained active connections with other terror suspects, particularly Dr Umar Nabi and Dr Ganai.
3. Molvi Irfan Ahmad – The Radicaliser-In-Chief
Molvi Irfan Ahmad, also known as Imam Irfan, worked as an imam at a mosque in Shopian, south Kashmir. Before his religious role, he served as paramedical staff at Government Medical College, Srinagar. Officials identified him as the mastermind orchestrating the entire radicalization campaign. His dual identity as both a preacher and healthcare worker allowed him unique access to potential recruits.
Ahmad used his position at GMC Srinagar to identify susceptible medical students and young doctors. During prayer sessions at Nowgam’s local mosques, he allegedly pushed vulnerable individuals toward radicalization. Investigators recovered electronic gadgets from his residence containing evidence of his operations. Furthermore, electronic devices revealed his coordination network across multiple states.
4. Arif Nisar Dar Alias Sahil – The Street Propagandist
Arif Nisar Dar, known by the alias Sahil, came from Nowgam in Srinagar. He participated in pasting Jaish-e-Mohammed threatening posters across Bunpora and Nowgam areas on October 19. These propaganda materials specifically targeted security forces and police personnel. Authorities identified him through CCTV footage and witness accounts. His quick arrest provided investigators with vital leads connecting to the broader terror network. Moreover, Dar worked alongside two other residents of Nowgam in spreading militant propaganda.
5. Yasir Ul Ashraf – The Logistics Coordinator
Yasir Ul Ashraf hailed from Nowgam, Srinagar, and worked managing a business shop in the area. He worked for his uncle’s retail operation while maintaining secret connections to the terror module. However, his primary role involved arranging logistics and coordinating supplies for the network. Authorities identified him as part of the trio responsible for pasting threatening posters in October. Furthermore, Ashraf maintained financial links with other suspects, helping raise funds for terror activities.
6. Zameer Ahmad Ahanger Alias Mutlasha – The Village Connector
Zameer Ahmad Ahanger, also known as Mutlasha, came from Wakura in Ganderbal, central Kashmir. He served as a critical link between Kashmir-based operatives and the Faridabad module. Moreover, his interrogation revealed crucial information about Dr Muzammil Ganai’s involvement with terror groups. Additionally, Ahanger confirmed witnessing weapons and explosives at the doctor’s residence. Police identified him as someone who helped facilitate connections between different cells within the network.
7. Maqsood Ahmad Dar Alias Shahid – The Propaganda Network Member
Maqsood Ahmad Dar, known by the alias Shahid, came from Nowgam in Srinagar. He worked alongside Arif Nisar Dar and Yasir Ul Ashraf in the propaganda campaign. Therefore, Dar participated in pasting threatening JeM posters across targeted locations in October. His arrest completed the initial terror module bust operation. Police sources indicated additional suspects had emerged from interrogations requiring further investigation.
The Conspiracy That Shook The Nation
The terror module operated across three states: Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Security forces recovered approximately 2,900 kilograms of ammonium nitrate from multiple locations. Additionally, officials seized two AK-47 rifles, two pistols, ammunition, timers, detonators, batteries, and various bomb-making materials. This massive arsenal suggested plans for large-scale coordinated attacks.
The investigation revealed a sophisticated recruitment mechanism targeting educated professionals. Therefore, unlike traditional militant networks, this group specifically recruited doctors and medical professionals. Besides, the network included clerics and businessmen, creating a “white-collar” terror ecosystem. Consequently, these educated individuals provided legitimacy, operational capability, and professional skills to terror outfits.
Moreover, Jaish-e-Mohammed posters appearing in Srinagar on October 19 triggered the initial investigation. Subsequently, police registered a case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act at Nowgam police station. Furthermore, the probe intensified as investigators followed the propaganda trail. Therefore, authorities connected the poster campaign to a much larger terror network operating across multiple states.
Connection To Red Fort Blast
Hours after authorities arrested these seven suspects and seized explosives from Faridabad, a devastating blast occurred near Delhi’s Red Fort. A white Hyundai i20 car exploded near Gate Number 1 of Red Fort Metro Station at 6:52 pm on November 10. The explosion claimed nine lives and injured twenty others. Investigators believe the sudden crackdown panicked remaining operatives, forcing them to accelerate their attack plans.
Police sources indicated that Dr Umar Nabi, another doctor from the Faridabad module, likely carried out the suicide bombing. However, Nabi remained missing following the arrests of his associates. Therefore, investigators suspect the large-scale raids and explosive seizures frightened the network into executing their plan prematurely. Consequently, the doctor apparently accelerated the attack timeline after learning about his colleagues’ arrests and the seizure of explosives.
The White-Collar Terror Phenomenon
This case exposed a troubling evolution in militant recruitment strategies. Traditionally, terror organizations targeted economically disadvantaged or socially alienated individuals. However, this module specifically recruited educated professionals from medical backgrounds. Therefore, the network exploited doctors’ professional credentials, technical knowledge, and social standing. Moreover, medical professionals gained access to secure facilities, allowing them to plan and execute sophisticated operations.
The dual identity of Molvi Irfan Ahmad exemplified this strategy. Besides serving as a cleric, he maintained paramedical credentials providing access to medical college networks. Subsequently, he used both roles to identify and radicalize vulnerable individuals. Therefore, the combination of religious authority and medical profession created the perfect recruitment environment.
This represents a disturbing trend in modern militancy. Consequently, terror organizations now recognize the value of educated operatives. Besides, educated professionals attract fewer suspicions than traditional militant archetypes. Therefore, they blend seamlessly into civilian populations while maintaining operational capability.
Security Response And Investigation
The Jammu and Kashmir Police coordinated with security agencies across multiple states. Furthermore, the National Investigation Agency took over the Red Fort blast probe. Additionally, NSG and FSL teams collected forensic information from the blast site. Police registered cases under multiple sections including UAPA, Explosives Act, and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Officers questioned numerous university staff members at Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences. Besides, investigators conducted extensive searches at residences across Faridabad, Dhauj, and Dahar Colony. Moreover, police maintained a strong presence at the university and surrounding areas. Therefore, the coordinated response prevented further attacks and dismantled the operational capability of the module.
The Broader Implications
This terror module bust raised critical security concerns across India. Furthermore, the arrest of medical professionals highlighted vulnerabilities in professional recruitment and vetting. Additionally, the network’s trans-national connections suggested ongoing support from Pakistan-based groups. Therefore, security agencies now face the challenge of monitoring educated professional populations more closely.
The case demonstrated how terror organizations adapt recruitment strategies. Besides, militants no longer depend solely on traditionally vulnerable populations. Moreover, sophisticated networks now target educated individuals for specific skills and social advantages. Therefore, the intelligence community must develop new monitoring mechanisms. Consequently, universities and professional institutions need enhanced security protocols.
The timing of the Red Fort blast, just hours after the module bust, indicated operational coordination. Furthermore, investigators are probing financial flows sustaining the network. Besides, police are questioning relatives and friends of accused individuals. Therefore, authorities expect additional arrests as the investigation deepens.
