A sweeping counter-terrorism operation across three Indian states has unearthed a massive cache of explosives and weaponry, allegedly linked to a network of radicalised professionals with ties to banned terrorist groups Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH).
The investigation, one of the most significant in recent years, began after threatening JeM posters appeared in Srinagar’s Nowgam area on October 19. This led security forces to what officials have termed a “white-collar terror ecosystem,” according to a report by TOI.
The breakthrough intensified with the arrest of Dr Muzamil Shakeel, a 35-year-old medical professor from Pulwama who taught at Al-Falah University in Faridabad’s Dhauj. A search of a room he had allegedly rented just 15 days prior yielded a substantial arsenal.
Police recovered arms, ammunition and sophisticated bomb-making components, including 12 suitcases and a bucket packed with explosives, 20 timers, batteries, remote controls, 5kg of heavy metal and a walkie-talkie set.
The operation expanded dramatically on Monday when raids in Faridabad’s Dehar Colony led to the discovery of an additional 2,563 kg of explosives and flammable materials. The total haul of nearly 2,900 kg of IED-making material represents one of the largest such seizures. The weaponry seized included a Chinese pistol, a Beretta pistol, an AK-56 rifle and a Krinkov rifle, all with ammunition.
“The sheer volume of material points to plans for large-scale terrorist attacks,” a senior police officer was cited by TOI as saying.
Authorities are now investigating whether laboratory facilities at Al-Falah University were utilised or intended for synthesising advanced explosives like RDX. Faridabad Police Commissioner Satender Kumar Gupta confirmed that a major terrorist network had been disrupted. “Joint teams of Haryana and J&K police have successfully busted a major terrorist network,” he said, indicating that further arrests are anticipated.
The web of arrests extends beyond Dr Shakeel. Prior to his detention, Uttar Pradesh police in Saharanpur had arrested another doctor from Pulwama, Adeel Majeed Rather. His interrogation is said to have directly led investigators to the Dhauj storage facility.
In a statement, J&K Police described the operation as having dismantled an inter-state and transnational module. The investigation has led to a series of coordinated arrests beyond the two doctors.
According to reports, Jammu & Kashmir Police announced the arrests of several individuals, including: Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil and Yasir-ul-Ashraf of Nowgam, Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid of Nowgam, Molvi Irfan Ahmad of Shopian, Zameer Ahmad Ahanger of Ganderbal and Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie of Koil in Pulwama.
In a related development, an AK-47 allegedly linked to Dr Shakeel was discovered in a Swift Dzire car belonging to a woman doctor from the same university. Police sources suggest she may have loaned her vehicle unaware of its intended use; she has not been arrested but is currently being questioned in Jammu & Kashmir.
Faridabad police spokesperson Yashpal reportedly stated that teams are actively identifying accomplices, tracing procurement chains and determining the source of the weapons. Coordinated raids have been conducted across Srinagar, Anantnag, Ganderbal and Shopian in Jammu & Kashmir, alongside the operations in Faridabad and Saharanpur.
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