Investigators have detained at least five more individuals, including two doctors and two staffers of Al-Falah University in Faridabad, as the nationwide probe into the alleged terror module behind Monday’s deadly blast near the Red Fort in Delhi intensified. Agencies have also launched a search for another doctor who travelled to Turkey with two key suspects believed to be linked to the incident.

More doctors detained as probe expands

The fresh detentions include two Uttar Pradesh-based doctors — cardiologist Dr Mohammad Arif Mir, 32, from Kanpur, and Dr Farukh, a gynaecologist associated with GS Medical College, Hapur. Both are originally from Jammu and Kashmir. The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) confirmed that the duo was picked up over suspected links to Dr Shaheen Shahid, a Lucknow-origin doctor arrested from Faridabad earlier this month.

Dr Mir was detained late on Wednesday night from the Cardiology Institute of GSVM Medical College in Kanpur, while Dr Farukh was taken into custody on Thursday afternoon from his college hostel in Hapur. Both were subsequently handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and shifted to Delhi for interrogation.

Senior medical faculty members said they were unaware of any details beyond the fact that the doctors were taken for questioning. Investigators, however, believe that Dr Mir may have had links with Dr Umar Un Nabi, the man who allegedly drove the car that exploded near the Red Fort. Both men reportedly attended a medical college in Kashmir around the same time, prompting investigators to look deeper into their association.

Links to a possible ‘white-collar’ terror module

Investigators are exploring the possibility of a larger network involving Kashmir-origin medical professionals allegedly operating under a covert “white-collar” terror module. Officials revealed that Dr Mir and Dr Shahid had been in regular communication for several months. A search of Dr Mir’s rented flat in Kanpur led to the seizure of his laptop and phone for forensic analysis. His landlord stated that Mir had moved into the accommodation barely a month ago and kept to himself.

Similarly, Dr Farukh reportedly studied with Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganaie, who was arrested in Faridabad after police recovered explosive materials from a room he had rented. Ganaie’s arrest has proven to be a significant link in the probe, connecting several suspects across states.

Al-Falah University staffers under scrutiny

Among those detained on Thursday is Mohammad Jamil alias Zameel, a staffer at Al-Falah University. He was picked up for allegedly facilitating the recruitment of multiple Kashmiri doctors into the university. Investigators revealed that Jamil handled verification and approval files for new faculty members. Several of these recruits, including Dr Muzammil, had reportedly faced scrutiny or dismissal from previous institutions.

Jamil’s phone and laptop have been seized, with cyber teams reportedly discovering encrypted messages and coded entries that hint at communication with individuals connected to the terror network under investigation.

Two more individuals — Wasid Khan, a compounder at Al-Falah University, and his brother-in-law Mohammad Faheem — were detained from Faridabad after investigators located the red Ford EcoSport registered under Dr Umar’s name outside Faheem’s residence in Khandawali village. Police suspect Wasid drove the car there on Umar’s instructions before abandoning it.

Hunt for doctor linked to Turkey trip intensifies

In a significant development, the Delhi Police Special Cell has identified one more doctor, Dr Muzaffar Ahmad Rather, believed to be connected to the Red Fort blast. Investigators said he had travelled to Turkey in 2022 with Nabi and Ganaie, staying there for 21 days. During this period, the group allegedly met Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) handlers.

However, Dr Muzaffar left for Dubai in August and is currently absconding. Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have initiated procedures to trace and bring him back. Officials are unsure whether he remains in Dubai or has moved to Afghanistan. They believe he may have travelled abroad to secure additional funding for the group.

Dr Muzaffar is the elder brother of Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather, who was arrested from Uttar Pradesh’s Sharanpur in connection with JeM posters appearing in Nowgam in Kashmir on 18 October. The Rather family hails from Anantnag, a region that has surfaced repeatedly across the latest arrests and detentions.

Conclusion

As multiple agencies continue probing the alleged terror module, investigators are uncovering a complex web connecting medical professionals, university staffers and suspects believed to have foreign links. With more detentions expected and the hunt ongoing for the missing doctor, the investigation remains far from over