Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Nov 10: In a major crackdown against the “white-collar terror ecosystem,” Jammu and Kashmir Police in coordination with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested eight persons, including 3 doctors, recovering huge quantity of explosives, arms and ammunition from them.
An official said that the Police have unearthed a transnational terror module linked to proscribed outfits Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH). “The crackdown, spanned multiple states. It led to the arrest of eight accused, the seizure of explosives, arms, and encrypted communication tools,” the official said.
He said, “The joint operation led to the recovery of around 2,900 kilograms of explosive material, arms, and ammunition from multiple states.”
A senior official said, “The busted network could be one of the most significant terror modules exposed this year, indicating that the group might have been planning a major attack. The recovery, among the largest in recent years, may have averted a serious incident in or near Delhi.”
“The location of the seizure added to the gravity of the case, as Faridabad lies on the outskirts of the national capital and may have been used as a base for preparations,” he said, adding, “The timely and coordinated operation by police teams from J&K, Haryana, and UP is believed to have prevented a potential large-scale strike.”
According to officials, the arrests followed coordinated raids in Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. “Two Kashmiri doctors identified as Dr. Aadil Ahmad Rather and Dr. Muzammil Shakeel were apprehended in separate operations in Saharanpur and Faridabad. Later, a woman doctor from Lucknow, Dr. Shaheen Shahid, was also detained after her car was found used in the transport of arms and ammunition,” officials said.
Faridabad Commissioner of Police Satender Kumar Gupta said the operation began after the interrogation of Dr Aadil Ahmad Rather, who was earlier arrested by J&K Police from Saharanpur for allegedly putting up Jaish-e-Mohammad posters in Srinagar on October 27.
Based on his inputs, another accused, Dr. Muzammil Shakeel, a faculty member at Al-Falah University in Faridabad, was arrested.
During a search at his rented accommodation, police recovered 360 kg of suspected ammonium nitrate, arms, and other materials.
Gupta said the recovered items included an assault rifle with three magazines and 83 live rounds, a pistol with eight rounds, 20 electronic timers, 24 remotes, walkie-talkie sets, batteries, electric wires, and several bags containing inflammable chemicals.
He clarified that the rifle recovered was not an AK-47 but a similar assault weapon and that the explosive material was not RDX but inflammable chemicals likely used for making improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
A cleric from the locality was also detained for questioning, and forensic analysis of the recovered materials is underway.
The Commissioner said the accused are being jointly interrogated by J&K Police, Haryana Police, and central agencies.
Later in the day, Jammu and Kashmir Police issued a statement confirming the arrests of seven individuals connected to the same network.
The police said the case relates to an FIR registered in Srinagar on October 19, 2025, after Jaish-e-Mohammad posters appeared in the Nowgam area, threatening police and security forces.
The arrested individuals include Arif Nisar Dar, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, Maqsood Ahmad Dar, Molvi Irfan Ahmad, Zameer Ahmad Ahanger, Dr. Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie, and Dr. Adeel.
Police said more individuals have been identified and will be arrested as the probe expands.
The police statement said the investigation uncovered a “white-collar” terror ecosystem involving radicalised professionals and students linked with handlers based in Pakistan and other countries. The group allegedly used encrypted channels for communication, coordination, and fund transfer under the guise of charitable and academic activities.
Police said the accused were engaged in radicalising individuals, raising funds, and arranging logistics and materials for IED preparation.
During searches across multiple districts, police recovered two pistols (Chinese Star and Beretta models), an AK-56 rifle, an AK Krinkov rifle, and approximately 2,900 kilograms of IED-making material, including explosives, chemicals, electronic circuits, remotes, and metal sheets.
A separate case has been registered under relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Arms Act, and the Explosive Substances Act.
Financial investigations are underway to trace the flow of funds and identify additional links within and outside the country.
Officials said further searches and arrests are likely as the investigation continues to determine how such large quantities of explosive material were transported and stored near the national capital without detection.
