From Hospital to Terror Hub: The Maulvi Who Turned Medical Students into Militants
How a Srinagar paramedic-turned-cleric built a nationwide terror network that led to the Red Fort blast
NewsArc Special Investigation
New Delhi | November 12, 2025
The Cleric Behind the Carnage
Investigations into the Red Fort car blast that killed 13 people have traced the roots of the terror network to Maulvi Irfan Ahmed, a former paramedical worker at GMC Srinagar who later became an imam at a mosque in Nougat. The Shopian-based cleric has now confessed to police that he radicalized Dr Muzammil Shakil, one of the main accused in the blast case.
What makes this case particularly alarming is that Irfan targeted medical college students, using his position to influence young professionals. He remained in close contact with students at GMC Srinagar, which explains why the terror module had so many doctors as part of it.
The Radicalisation Blueprint
Irfan was hand-picked by Jaish-e-Mohammed as he had been inspired by their ideology for long. He would regularly keep in touch with the younger generation and radicalize them, urging them to join the outfit. The maulvi used videos of Jaish-e-Mohammad leaders to carry out his radicalisation drive.
Sources reveal that Maulvi Irfan introduced the group to extremist ideas such as the concept of ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’, while spreading hatred against Hindus. Members were encouraged to build “sleeper cells” across India, recruit others, and grow their network quietly.
The police learned that Irfan’s handlers were based out of Afghanistan, and he would regularly keep in touch with them through Telegram. He had created multiple accounts on Telegram, and apart from keeping in touch with his handlers, he would also circulate the propaganda of Jaish among them.
The Women’s Terror Wing
In a disturbing development, the maulvi suggested that a women’s wing of the outfit be opened in India. The job of this wing was to focus on radicalization and recruitment. He appointed Dr Shaheen Saeed to head this wing. She had made multiple visits to Jammu and Kashmir during which she met Irfan, and he instructed her on how to go about her work and recruit as many women as possible.
Two women doctors from Srinagar and Anantnag, who completed their MBBS degrees from Dhaka Medical College in Bangladesh, came into contact with Maulvi Irfan during their internship in Srinagar—a period that investigators now describe as the “turning point” in their radicalization.
Al Falah University: The Faridabad Connection
The terror module became more active after its members returned from Turkey. Dr. Muzammil took a job at Al Falah Medical College in Faridabad, which became the operational base for the group.
A preacher from Haryana, Maulvi Ishtiyaq from Mewat, allegedly helped store explosives in his rented home near Faridabad’s Al Falah university. He would conduct religious sermons in the Al Falah campus. From his rented home, police recovered more than 2,500 kg of ammonium nitrate, potassium chlorate and sulphur.
The Bigger Plot Exposed
Security agencies have found that the Delhi blast happened as the terrorists panicked following the arrests of their colleagues and exposure of the Faridabad module. The investigation revealed that terrorists were planning to attack key establishments in Delhi like Sena Bhavan, Air Force office, BJP office and Parliament House road in the New Delhi area, while Ayodhya’s Ram Temple and Kashi Vishwanath Temple were on their target list.
It was found during the investigation that the suicide bomber Dr Umar did not have sufficient material to carry out a blast of very high intensity, and the Red Fort blast happened due to a mistake.
How the Network Unravelled
The investigation began on October 19, 2025, when JeM posters were found in Srinagar’s Nougam area. Three overground workers—Arif Nisar Dar, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar—were arrested, leading police and agencies to Irfan.
Irfan, arrested in Shopian, initially remained silent, but his mobile phone revealed JeM channels, which led to the arrest of the doctors and the recovery of massive explosives from Faridabad.
Irfan also revealed that he had influenced Muzammil, a highly educated doctor, and turned him toward extremist ideology. He said Muzammil had shown him an AK-47 rifle at his home.
International Links Under Probe
Investigators believe that some members met their handlers during trips abroad, especially a visit to Turkey, which is now seen as a turning point in the formation of this terror module. Intelligence agencies are probing possible foreign connections, particularly in Turkey and Qatar, where two key accused Adil and Muzzamil are believed to have met their handlers earlier this year.
Digital forensic analysis of the women doctors’ devices has uncovered over 400 encrypted chats detailing fund transfers, recruitment discussions, and safe-house arrangements. Investigators have traced several foreign remittances routed through digital wallets from Istanbul and Doha between 2023 and 2024.
Security Crackdown
Of the eight people arrested, seven are from Kashmir: Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf and Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid from Nowgam in Srinagar; Maulvi Irfan Ahmad from Shopian; Zameer Ahmad Ahanger alias Mutlasha from Wakura area of Ganderbal; Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie alias Musaib from Koil area of Pulwama, and Dr Adeel from Wanpora area of Kulgam. Dr Shaheen Sayeed is from Lucknow.
Around 1500 people have been detained so far in connection with the ongoing investigation. The NIA has formed a special investigation team to probe the blast and its links to the Jaish-e-Mohammad module.
Investigators are searching for a Maruti Brezza suspected to be loaded with explosives and connected to one of the two women doctors arrested from Faridabad. Security across Delhi, Gurugram, and Faridabad has been intensified as investigators race against time to uncover the full extent of what is being described as one of the most dangerous terror conspiracies uncovered in recent years.
What This Means
This case marks a disturbing evolution in terror tactics—highly educated professionals being systematically radicalized through religious manipulation, using medical institutions as cover, and building elaborate networks with international handlers. The involvement of doctors, the use of educational campuses, and the establishment of a women’s wing point to a sophisticated, long-term strategy that security agencies are now scrambling to fully dismantle.
The investigation continues.
This is a developing story. NewsArc will continue to update as more information becomes available.
