Kashmiri Doctors Investigated in Connection with Red Fort Explosion

In a significant development regarding the Red Fort explosion, authorities are investigating three Kashmiri doctors — Adeel Ahmad Rather, Muzammil Shakeel, and Umar Mohammed — for their suspected involvement in the tragic incident that resulted in nine deaths and over 20 injuries on Monday evening.

Security officials reported the arrests of Adeel Ahmad Rather in Saharanpur and Muzammil Shakeel in Faridabad, which led to the seizure of around 2,900 kg of bomb-making materials suspected to be ammonium nitrate, the same explosive implicated in the Red Fort incident.

Details of the Explosion

The car explosion occurred around 6:52 PM at a traffic signal near Netaji Subhash Marg, between the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk. Witnesses described a massive fireball, as several vehicles were engulfed in flames. Fire crews took almost half an hour to control the situation as chaos ensued in central Delhi.

A thorough investigation was promptly initiated, tracing the ownership of the vehicle through several individuals — from Salman to Devender, Aamir, Tariq, and ultimately to Dr. Umar Mohammed, who is believed to have been driving it at the time of the explosion. CCTV footage has captured Umar moments before the blast, and a DNA test has been requested to verify his identity.

Potential Links to Terrorism

While officials have yet to classify it as a terrorist act, a case has been initiated under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is likely to take over the investigation.

Sources indicate that Umar, alarmed by the capture of his associates and the recovery of explosives, may have been preparing for a suicide attack. Investigators have also found connections to Jaish-e-Mohammad, as pro-organisation posters were discovered in Srinagar in the weeks leading up to the explosion.

A New Type of Radicalization

Authorities describe this situation as a new phenomenon in radicalization — a “white-collar terror ecosystem” where educated professionals, such as doctors, are being recruited for extremist activities. This network allegedly utilized encrypted communication for planning, fundraising, and coordinating operations.

It is believed that donations were collected under the pretext of charitable activities, while the accused managed the recruitment, logistics, and procurement of weapons and explosives.

Alarming Trends

All three doctors had reputable positions before their arrests — Adeel served at the Government Medical College in Anantnag, Muzammil was a senior resident at Al Falah Medical College, and Umar had connections to local medical facilities. Their alleged involvement reveals an unsettling trend in terror recruitment, particularly targeting educated professionals.

Ongoing extensive raids across various states continue as authorities strive to unearth further networks tied to the Red Fort explosion.