White collar terror module: Pulwama electrician detained by J&K Police, probe on to ascertain his role

The investigation into the terror network began in mid-October when Srinagar Police launched a detailed probe into posters that appeared on walls in Nowgam, warning police personnel and security forces.

Led by senior superintendent of police Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy, the probe initially focused on CCTV surveillance and soon resulted in the arrest of three suspects, identified as Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir ul Ashraf and Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid.

When these suspects were questioned, officers found out about former paramedic-turned-Imam Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, who is now accused of distributing the threatening posters and influencing others involved in the operation.

Investigators close to the matter now believe that this was the first sign that the case was bigger than it appeared and was linked to a larger ideologically motivated network rather than a standalone threat.

The trail soon extended beyond Kashmir. Police later raided Al-Falah University in Faridabad, where Dr Muzzafar Ganaie and Dr Shaheen Saeed were arrested and nearly 2,900 kilograms of explosive materials were recovered.

This seizure suggested a level of planning and logistics that investigators described as “exceptionally organised".

Following that, the explosion near the Red Fort area in Delhi took place on November 10.