Agency teams search homes of doctors linked to deadly blast
A significant crackdown is underway in the Valley as federal investigators intensify their probe into the tragic incident near the Red Fort. On Monday morning, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) launched a coordinated operation, targeting multiple locations across South Kashmir.
According to official sources, the agency is currently conducting extensive searches at eight different sites. These raids are a crucial part of the ongoing investigation into the explosion that occurred last month in the national capital. The primary objective of this operation is to uncover further evidence and unravel the deeper layers of the conspiracy behind the attack.
The search teams have fanned out across several districts, focusing on the residences of individuals who are already in custody. Key targets of Monday’s operation include the home of Dr. Adeel Ahmad Rather in Kulgam and the residence of Dr. Muzamil Shakeel Ganai, located in the Koil village of Pulwama.
Additionally, NIA sleuths have descended upon Shopian to search the premises of a cleric, Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay. Another team is investigating the home of Amir Rashid in Samboora village, Pulwama.
The Terror Module Connection
The individuals whose homes are being searched were previously apprehended by the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Authorities believe they are connected to a terror module affiliated with Ansar Ghazwatul Hind, which was dismantled last month.
The scope of the investigation reveals a disturbing involvement of medical professionals. The module allegedly included four doctors. One of them, Dr. Umar Nabi, was identified as the driver of the vehicle that detonated outside the Red Fort metro station. That horrific event resulted in the loss of 13 lives and left 32 others injured.
Before the blast occurred, police had already made significant arrests in Faridabad, detaining Dr. Adeel, Dr. Muzamil, and Dr. Shaheen Shahid. During that operation, authorities managed to recover a massive cache of dangerous materials, including over 350 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, intended for making explosives. Amir Rashid was detained shortly after the explosion; investigations revealed the car used in the attack was registered in his name.
Expanding the Net
The case was formally handed over to the NIA, which subsequently took custody of the accused from the J-K Police. So far, the federal agency has arrested six individuals in connection with this case, including the doctors, the cleric, Amir, and Jasir Bilal, a neighbor of one of the accused.
Officials state that the current raids are focused on securing digital evidence or documents that might have been concealed, as the agency works to piece together the full timeline of the terror plot.
