Faridabad terror module: Imam Irfan Ahmad showed Jaish videos to radicalise medical students

Security agencies investigating the deadly blast near Delhi’s Red Fort and the recently busted terror module in Haryana’s Faridabad have identified Imam Irfan Ahmad, a resident of Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir, as the key mastermind.

According to the investigators, Ahmad played a crucial role in radicalising young medical students and pushing them toward extremist ideologies.

From paramedical staff to radical preacher

Irfan Ahmad was previously employed as a paramedical staff member at the Government Medical College in Srinagar. During his time there, he frequently interacted with students and worshippers at a mosque in Nowgam. Over time, he began influencing young medical students with radical ideas, urging them to join his extremist cause, NDTV reported.

As per the report, Ahmad drew inspiration from the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). He often showed propaganda videos of JeM to students, slowly indoctrinating them. Investigators believe he also maintained communication with handlers in Afghanistan through VoIP calls, using data connections to avoid detection.

Doctors among those radicalised

Among those most influenced by Ahmad were two doctors, Dr Muzammil Shakeel and Dr Mohammad Umar, both of whom played active roles in furthering his mission. As per the officials, Ahmad’s goal was to plant extremist thinking deeply within educated youth, particularly those in the medical field who could later operate undetected within society.

The entire module, including the bomb-making operations in Faridabad, was allegedly conceptualised and directed by Ahmad. Investigators believe the Delhi blast on November 10 was carried out by Dr Mohammad Umar in panic after the Faridabad module was exposed by the police.

Women’s wing financier also identified

The probe has also led authorities to Dr Shaheen Sayeed, a resident of Lucknow and faculty member at Al-Falah University, who is suspected of financing the module.

She is believed to be the India commander of Jaish-e-Mohammed’s women’s wing, Jamaat-ul-Mominaat, which provides logistical and financial support to extremist activities.

So far, seven suspects have been arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir Police in connection with the Faridabad operation and the Red Fort blast. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is now handling the case.