Key Highlights:
- Joint police operation recovered 2,900 kg of bomb-making materials from Faridabad properties rented by medical professionals linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad
- Seven arrests made including three doctors who exploited their professional status to evade suspicion while planning attacks in Delhi NCR
- Investigation traced conspiracy from Jaish-e-Mohammad posters in Srinagar to transnational terror network operating across Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh
Opening Overview
A shocking terror conspiracy targeting Delhi and the National Capital Region has been dismantled following the discovery of what authorities describe as one of the largest Faridabad explosives haul in recent memory. Security forces recovered approximately 2,900 kilograms of bomb-making materials, assault rifles, and sophisticated IED components from properties in Faridabad linked to medical professionals working at Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences and Research Centre. The Faridabad explosives haul case has revealed a disturbing new dimension in terrorism—educated professionals leveraging their respectable occupations to mask extremist activities.
According to interrogation reports, Dr. Adeel and Dr. Muzammil, the two primary suspects in the Faridabad explosives haul, told investigators they were specifically chosen by their handlers because “no one would suspect doctors in Delhi NCR”. This strategic exploitation of professional credibility marks a dangerous evolution in terrorist methodology. The doctors were in regular contact with handlers in Kashmir and awaiting final target details when the security operation intercepted their plans. Creating communal disturbance across Delhi NCR was identified as a central objective of the conspiracy.
The Faridabad explosives haul operation represents the culmination of a multi-state investigation initiated by a seemingly minor incident—posters supporting the banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad appearing in Srinagar’s Nowgam area on October 19, 2025. What began as a routine investigation into propaganda materials ultimately unraveled a sophisticated transnational terror network with connections to Pakistan-based handlers and operational cells spanning Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Total ammonium nitrate recovered thus far from house to house search in Faridabad: 2900 kg. This is 1000 kg more more than what Timothy McVeigh used to carry out the Oklahoma Bombing. 3 top doctors have been arrested: Dr Shaheena, Dr Shakil, Dr Adil Ahmad.
— Triple R (@RaviRRana) November 11, 2025
You can't do anything. pic.twitter.com/R0WJRO7tg6
The Scale of Recovery
| Material Category | Quantity/Details |
|---|---|
| Explosive Materials | 2,900 kg (primarily ammonium nitrate) |
| Assault Rifles | AK-56, AK Krinkov |
| Pistols | Chinese Star pistol, Beretta pistol |
| IED Components | Timers, electronic circuits, batteries, wires, remote controls |
| Total Arrests | 7 individuals including 3 doctors |
Exploitation of Professional Status
The Faridabad explosives haul investigation revealed how terror organizations are increasingly recruiting educated professionals to execute high-impact operations while minimizing detection risks. Dr. Muzammil Shakeel, a senior medical faculty member at Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, had worked at the institution for three years before his arrest. During this period, he maintained a seemingly normal professional life while simultaneously establishing the logistical infrastructure for terror activities. Dr. Adeel Ahmad Rather, previously employed at Government Medical College in Anantnag until October 2024, relocated to Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh where he joined a private hospital.
Security sources indicate that the doctors involved in the Faridabad explosives haul were not merely logistical facilitators but had deeper involvement with militant activities dating back several years. Between 2018 and 2021, the accused doctors allegedly treated injured terrorists in Kashmir, establishing their credentials within the extremist ecosystem. This history of collaboration with terrorist elements demonstrates a long-term pattern of radicalization and active support for militant operations.
The Faridabad explosives haul case also implicated a third medical professional, Dr. Shaheen Shahid from Lucknow, whose car was used to transport and conceal weapons. A Krinkov assault rifle, three magazines containing 83 rounds, a pistol with eight bullets, and additional ammunition were recovered from her vehicle. Police investigations suggest Dr. Shahid was tasked with establishing Jaish-e-Mohammad networks in Uttar Pradesh, expanding the terror module’s operational reach. The involvement of multiple medical professionals in the Faridabad explosives haul conspiracy underscores a deliberate recruitment strategy targeting educated individuals capable of operating without arousing suspicion.
According to the National Investigation Agency’s 2022 data, jihadi terror cases registered by the agency increased by 19.67 percent compared to the previous year, with 35 out of 73 total cases involving Islamist extremism. The Faridabad explosives haul represents a continuation of this concerning trend, with the added dimension of white-collar recruitment making detection significantly more challenging.
Investigative Breakthrough and Operational Execution
The breakthrough in the Faridabad explosives haul case emerged from meticulous investigative work following the discovery of Jaish-e-Mohammad propaganda posters in Srinagar’s Bunpora Nowgam area. Jammu and Kashmir Police registered a case under multiple sections including the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Explosive Substances Act, and Arms Act. Investigators systematically analyzed CCTV footage from locations where the threatening posters appeared, eventually identifying Dr. Adeel as a person of interest.
The Faridabad explosives haul operation required unprecedented coordination between multiple state police forces. Jammu and Kashmir Police teams traveled to Saharanpur where Dr. Adeel had relocated, executing his arrest at the private hospital where he had recently joined. During searches of his former accommodation at the Government Medical College in Anantnag, investigators recovered an assault rifle concealed in his locker. Dr. Adeel’s interrogation provided critical intelligence that expanded the investigation’s scope beyond Kashmir.
Information extracted during questioning led investigators to Dr. Muzammil in Faridabad, triggering the major seizures that define the Faridabad explosives haul case. Dr. Muzammil resided on the Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences campus but had rented two additional properties in nearby areas. Joint teams from Haryana Police and Jammu and Kashmir Police conducted coordinated raids on these locations, discovering 12 suitcases packed with explosive materials. The initial recovery of approximately 360 kilograms of suspected ammonium nitrate was followed by additional searches that ultimately yielded the staggering total of 2,900 kilograms.
The Faridabad explosives haul also resulted in the arrest of Irfan Ahmed, identified as the cleric and alleged kingpin behind the radicalization of the medical professionals involved in the conspiracy. Authorities described Irfan as the Imam of a mosque who maintained connections to Zakir Musa, a prominent terrorist who was eliminated in a 2019 encounter. The cleric’s role in recruiting and indoctrinating educated professionals represents a calculated strategy to create what investigators term a “white-collar terror ecosystem”.
Terrorist Network Structure
| Position | Individual | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Alleged Kingpin | Irfan Ahmed (Cleric) | Radicalization and recruitment |
| Operational Cell 1 | Dr. Muzammil Shakeel | Explosives storage and logistics |
| Operational Cell 2 | Dr. Adeel Ahmad Rather | Propaganda and weapons procurement |
| Operational Cell 3 | Dr. Shaheen Shahid | Weapons transport and network expansion |
| Support Network | Arif Nisar, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, Others | Logistics and coordination |
Transnational Dimensions and Organizational Affiliations
The Faridabad explosives haul investigation uncovered disturbing evidence of transnational coordination between operatives in India and handlers based in Pakistan. Security sources confirmed that the conspiracy was hatched in Pakistan, with directions transmitted through intermediaries in Kashmir. The terror module maintained connections with two proscribed organizations—Jaish-e-Mohammad and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind—both designated as terrorist entities by the Government of India and international bodies.
Jaish-e-Mohammad, founded by Masood Azhar in 2000 following his release from Indian custody, has been responsible for numerous high-profile attacks including the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack, and the 2019 Pulwama attack. The organization maintains close operational relationships with the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and other militant groups operating in the region. Its designation as a terrorist organization by the United Nations, United States, European Union, and multiple nations reflects its significant threat profile.
Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, an Al-Qaeda affiliate formed with the stated objective of establishing Kashmir as an independent Islamic state under Sharia law, represents another critical dimension of the Faridabad explosives haul conspiracy. The group’s formation involved elements critical of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence and other Kashmir-focused militant organizations, positioning it as a more ideologically rigid faction. The convergence of operatives linked to both Jaish-e-Mohammad and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind in the Faridabad explosives haul case suggests a tactical alliance despite historical differences between these organizations.
Investigators discovered that the Faridabad explosives haul network utilized encrypted communication channels for indoctrination, operational coordination, fund transfers, and logistics management. Funds were raised through professional and academic networks, disguised as social and charitable causes to avoid detection. This sophisticated financial infrastructure enabled the procurement of explosive precursors, weapons, and technical components necessary for constructing improvised explosive devices.
The Ministry of Home Affairs’ 2023 year-end review documented a significant reduction in terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, with only 44 terrorist-initiated incidents reported compared to 228 in 2018—an 81 percent decrease. However, the Faridabad explosives haul demonstrates that despite territorial gains against traditional militant operations in Kashmir, the threat has evolved toward more sophisticated, distributed networks operating in urban areas far from the traditional conflict zones.
Technical Analysis and Explosive Capacity
The 2,900 kilograms of explosive materials recovered in the Faridabad explosives haul primarily consisted of ammonium nitrate, a chemical compound widely used in agricultural fertilizers but also capable of serving as an oxidizing agent in improvised explosive devices. When mixed with fuel oils to create ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate/Fuel Oil), ammonium nitrate becomes a powerful blasting agent that has been used in numerous large-scale terror attacks globally. The sheer volume recovered in the Faridabad explosives haul suggested planning for multiple high-intensity attacks rather than a single strike.
Technical analysis indicates that the Faridabad explosives haul included not only raw explosive materials but also sophisticated IED components essential for weapon assembly. Investigators recovered electronic circuits, batteries, wires, remote control devices, timers, and metal sheets—all components necessary for constructing remotely detonated improvised explosive devices. The presence of both initiation systems (detonators and timers) and structural components (metal sheets for shrapnel) indicates an advanced stage of operational readiness.
Security experts note that ammonium nitrate with higher nitrogen content (above 28 percent) is significantly more effective as both a fertilizer and explosive agent. Many countries, including the United Kingdom, have imposed strict regulations on the manufacture, sale, and use of high-nitrogen-content ammonium nitrate specifically to prevent terrorist exploitation. While pure ammonium nitrate remains relatively stable under normal conditions, it can undergo explosive decomposition when subjected to high heat and pressure, particularly when combined with fuel oils.
The Faridabad explosives haul recovery also included a formidable weapons cache: an AK-56 rifle, an AK Krinkov rifle, a Chinese Star pistol, a Beretta pistol, and substantial ammunition. The combination of high explosives, weapons, and technical components suggests the terror module was preparing for coordinated attacks potentially involving both bomb blasts and armed assaults. Historical precedents demonstrate that improvised explosive devices constructed with ammonium nitrate can generate catastrophic destruction—the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, which killed 168 people, utilized approximately 2,300 kilograms of ammonium nitrate-based explosives.
Forensic teams continue examining materials recovered in the Faridabad explosives haul to determine the specific composition and potential yield of the explosive compounds being prepared. Preliminary assessments indicate that the quantity of materials seized could have been sufficient to construct hundreds of powerful IEDs, each capable of causing mass casualties in crowded urban environments. The strategic positioning of these materials in Faridabad, located in the National Capital Region with excellent connectivity to Delhi and surrounding areas, provided the terror module with optimal geographical access to high-value targets.
Broader Security Implications
The Faridabad explosives haul has triggered significant alarm within India’s security establishment, prompting comprehensive reviews of counter-terrorism protocols and surveillance mechanisms. The case represents a fundamental evolution in terrorist methodology—the shift from traditional militant profiles to educated professionals operating within mainstream institutions. This transformation creates unprecedented challenges for security agencies that have historically focused surveillance resources on individuals with known extremist connections or suspicious behavioral patterns.
Jammu and Kashmir Police Commissioner’s statement emphasized that the Faridabad explosives haul investigation revealed a “white-collar terror ecosystem” involving radicalized professionals and students maintaining contact with foreign handlers in Pakistan and other countries. The use of academic and charitable institutions as cover for terrorist activities represents a sophisticated adaptation designed to exploit gaps in traditional security frameworks. Medical colleges, engineering institutions, and professional organizations have not historically been priority surveillance targets, creating vulnerabilities that the Faridabad explosives haul conspiracy actively exploited.
The Faridabad explosives haul case also raises questions about institutional oversight and background verification processes for professionals in sensitive positions. Dr. Muzammil worked at Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences and Research Centre for three years without detection, despite allegedly maintaining active connections to terrorist organizations throughout this period. The institution, established in 2019 and offering MBBS programs with 150 seats, operates a 650-bed charitable hospital serving the Faridabad region. How individuals with terrorist affiliations successfully integrated into such institutions while simultaneously preparing large-scale attacks presents critical security gaps requiring immediate attention.
According to data compiled by the South Asia Terrorism Portal, security forces in Jammu and Kashmir eliminated 68 terrorists in 2024, including 42 foreign nationals and four top commanders from Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Toiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Despite this operational success, the Faridabad explosives haul demonstrates that the terrorist threat has not been eliminated but rather has adapted, moving from direct confrontation in Kashmir to clandestine urban operations leveraging sophisticated social engineering.
Intelligence agencies are now examining potential connections between the Faridabad explosives haul network and other radicalized professionals operating in different regions. The discovery that multiple doctors across three states were involved in a coordinated conspiracy suggests the possibility of additional cells that may not yet have been identified. Enhanced surveillance of professional networks, particularly those with Kashmir connections, has become a priority for counter-terrorism agencies following this case.
Closing Assessment
The Faridabad explosives haul stands as one of the most significant counter-terrorism operations in recent Indian history, not merely for the quantity of explosives recovered but for what it reveals about the evolving nature of security threats. The dismantling of this white-collar terror module prevented what could have been catastrophic attacks on Delhi and the National Capital Region. Security forces deserve recognition for the investigative excellence that traced a conspiracy from simple propaganda posters in Srinagar to a sophisticated terror network spanning multiple states and involving transnational coordination.
However, the Faridabad explosives haul also serves as a sobering reminder that India’s counter-terrorism architecture must continually evolve to address increasingly sophisticated threat vectors. The recruitment of educated professionals—doctors, in this case—who can operate for years within mainstream institutions while preparing mass-casualty attacks represents a fundamental challenge to traditional security paradigms. The success in thwarting this particular conspiracy should not obscure the uncomfortable reality that similar networks may exist in other locations, exploiting the same vulnerabilities.
The Faridabad explosives haul investigation continues, with security agencies working to identify additional individuals connected to the network and overseas handlers who directed the conspiracy. Questions remain about the full extent of the terror module’s activities, the identity of all participants, and whether additional explosive caches or weapons stockpiles exist in other locations. The case underscores the critical importance of inter-state coordination in counter-terrorism efforts, with the successful operation resulting from seamless collaboration between Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh police forces.
As India confronts this evolved terrorist threat landscape, the Faridabad explosives haul provides valuable intelligence about recruitment patterns, operational methodologies, and organizational structures of contemporary terror networks. The lessons learned from this case will inform counter-terrorism strategies for years to come, potentially preventing future attacks by identifying and neutralizing similar white-collar terror modules before they reach operational readiness. The vigilance demonstrated by security forces in connecting disparate investigative threads—from posters in Kashmir to explosive stockpiles near Delhi—represents the kind of proactive intelligence work essential for maintaining national security in an era of sophisticated, distributed terrorist threats.
