3 Doctors Among 8 Held for Terror, 3 Tonnes of Explosives Seized
Authorities described the module as a “white-collar terror ecosystem” that exploited professional and academic networks to fund and fuel terror activities while maintaining an outwardly respectable façade
SRINAGAR: In a major counter-terrorism breakthrough, Jammu and Kashmir Police, in close coordination with Haryana Police, Uttar Pradesh Police, and central agencies, have dismantled an inter-state and transnational terror network linked to the banned outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH), an ISIS affiliate operating in India.
A police spokesperson here said on Monday that the meticulously planned 15-day operation has resulted in the arrest of eight high-value operatives, including three doctors, and the seizure of a staggering 2,900 kg of explosive material along with an arsenal of sophisticated weapons.
Authorities described the module as a “white-collar terror ecosystem” that exploited professional and academic networks to fund and fuel terror activities while maintaining an outwardly respectable façade.
The spokesman said that the breakthrough came on October 19 when residents of Bunpora, Nowgam-a Srinagar periphery- reported multiple threatening JeM posters pasted at prominent locations, openly intimidating police and security forces. Acting swiftly, the local police station registered FIR No. 162/2025 under stringent sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Explosive Substances Act, and Arms Act.
What began as a probe into poster propaganda rapidly snowballed into the exposure of a deep-rooted conspiracy with tentacles spreading from Kashmir to Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and beyond India’s borders, the police said.
Investigations revealed a highly organised module comprising radicalised professionals, academicians, students, and a mosque imam (cleric), all in direct contact with handlers based in Pakistan and other countries, the police said, adding that the group operated through encrypted messaging platforms for indoctrination and radicalisation, coordination of operations, transfer of terror funds, logistics and procurement. “Funds were systematically collected through professional circles and university networks under the pretext of social welfare and charitable initiatives, making detection extremely difficult,” the police said.
It added the accused played multiple roles including identifying vulnerable individuals for radicalisation, recruiting fresh cadres into JeM and AGuH, procuring arms, ammunition, and raw material for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and planning large-scale attacks across multiple states.
Those arrested have been identified as Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid-all residents of Srinagar- Molvi Irfan Ahmad, Imam of a local mosque originally from southern district of Shopian, Zameer Ahmad Ahanger alias Mutlasha, a resident of Ganderbal district, Dr. Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie alias Musaib from Pulwama, Dr. Adeel from neighbouring Kulgam district, and Dr. Shaheen, a Lucknow-based medical professional from whose car an AK-47 rifle was allegedly recovered.
Dr. Ganaie was declared wanted in the poster case and arrested from his rented accommodation in Faridabad whereas Dr. Shaheen was flown from Lucknow to Srinagar for intensive interrogation, the police said. Pakistani phone numbers recovered from the mobiles of Dr. Ganaie and Dr. Adeel are being traced to identify overseas handlers, the police said, adding that more arrests are imminent as the role of additional suspects has emerged.
A statement issued by the J&K police here said that simultaneous searches were conducted across Srinagar, Anantnag, Ganderbal and Shopian districts of the Union Territory besides in Faridabad jointly with the Haryana Police and Saharanpur and Lucknow with the UP Police.
The seized items include one each Chinese Star pistol, Beretta pistol, AK-56 rifle and AK Krinkov rifle with ammunitions, 2,900 kilograms of IED-making material (ammonium nitrate- including 360 kg from Faridabad- potassium nitrate, Sulphur, other chemicals and reagents, inflammable substances, electronic circuits, batteries, wires, remote controls, 20 timers and 4 timer-battery sets). Also seized are metal sheets, 5 kg of heavy metal fragments, walkie-talkie set and other incriminating documents and digital devices, additional magazines and live rounds.
Faridabad Police Commissioner Satender Kumar Gupta confirmed the raid on Dr. Ganaie’s premises on Sunday, clarifying that the explosive was not RDX but still highly dangerous. He declined to reveal operational details citing national security.
The police here said that a parallel financial investigation is tracing the money trail and that every lead is being pursued with urgency to dismantle the entire funding pipeline.
The police said that they have successfully thwarted what could have been a series of devastating attacks across multiple states, dealing a severe blow to both JeM and AGuH. The police statement reads, “This operation is a testament to the unwavering resolve and professional excellence of our teams. J&K Police, along with sister agencies, remain fully committed to rooting out the menace of terrorism in all its forms.”
As the investigation deepens, security forces across the country are on high alert, underscoring the evolving nature of terror threats – now cloaked in the garb of education, medicine, and charity, the police officials said.
