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| From stethoscopes to RDX: 3 doctors from Kashmir linked to Delhi terror attack | | | Sanjay pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 11: Investigators probing Monday’s devastating car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort that claimed twelve lives and injured several others have uncovered what they describe as a sophisticated “white-collar terror network” involving three medical professionals from Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
The involvement of doctors in the terror plot has raised serious concerns among security agencies about the changing face of extremism in the union territory, with educated professionals allegedly being radicalized to carry out attacks.
Dr. Mohd Umar, identified as the driver of the explosive-laden Hyundai i20 that detonated near the iconic monument, was reportedly himself killed in the Monday morning blast.
The physician, who completed his MBBS from the prestigious Government Medical College (GMC) in Srinagar after securing admission on merit, hailed from Koil village in Pulwama district.
Police have detained his mother and two brothers for questioning. His father is reportedly mentally incapacitated and not being questioned, sources said.
Neighbors described Umar as an academically gifted and diligent student during his formative years, though some noted he appeared to harbor fundamentalist Islamic views from an early age.
The investigation has also led to the arrest of Dr. Muzammil, another resident of Koil village in Pulwama, whose exact role in the conspiracy is still being ascertained.
A third medical professional, Dr. Adil Ahmad Rather from the Qazigund area of Kulgam district, emerged as a crucial link in unraveling the entire terror module. Dr. Rather, who served at Government Medical College, Anantnag until October 2024, was initially apprehended for allegedly displaying posters in support of the banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Srinagar last month.
During a search of his locker at the medical college, authorities recovered an AK-47 assault rifle, raising immediate red flags about the extent of the network.
“It was Dr. Adil’s sustained interrogation that proved to be the breakthrough,” a highly-placed source in the security establishment revealed.
Based on information extracted during questioning, a joint team comprising Jammu and Kashmir Police and Haryana Police conducted raids in Faridabad, Haryana, where they discovered a massive cache of explosives and weapons. The haul included 290 kilograms of ammonium nitrate—a commonly used explosive material—along with multiple assault rifles, timer devices, and ammunition.
The probe subsequently led investigators to Lucknow, where Dr. Shaheen Shahid was arrested. An assault rifle was recovered from her vehicle during the operation.
Security sources indicate that despite the arrests of Dr. Adil and Dr. Muzammil in preceding weeks, Dr. Umar had gone underground. Investigators believe the apprehension of his associates may have rattled him, potentially leading to the premature execution of Monday’s attack.
“The blast appears to have been carried out in a state of panic following the arrests of his accomplices,” an official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Law enforcement agencies continue to make arrests across Kashmir Valley and in other parts of the country as the full scope of the conspiracy comes to light. Authorities are working to determine how many individuals from outside Jammu and Kashmir may have been involved in the plot.
According to intelligence sources, the terror operation was allegedly conceived as revenge for the deaths of family members of JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar during Operation Sindoor, a counter-terrorism operation conducted by security forces.
The investigation has raised troubling questions that security agencies are racing to answer: Were additional large-scale coordinated attacks planned by the network? Are there other sleeper cells affiliated with terror outfits that remain undetected following this module’s exposure?
“These are critical questions that require urgent answers,” a senior intelligence official said. “Our agencies are working round-the-clock to ensure we have a complete picture of the conspiracy and neutralize any residual threats.”
Authorities have assured the public that every lead is being pursued vigorously to ensure the safety and security of citizens across the country. |
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