How ‘white-coat terror’ module unfolded: Al-Falah doctors first tested bombs inside university, then in Aravalis | Gurgaon News
GURGAON: Test blasts on Al-Falah University campus, in open field, experiments deep inside the Aravalis, allegedly marked the progression of a “white-coat” terror module linked to three Al-Falah University doctors, according to the NIA chargesheet in the Red Fort blast case.Dr Umer Un Nabi, Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganaie and Dr Adeel Ahmed Rather allegedly tested explosive mixtures and firearms in isolated locations around Faridabad as they moved from experimenting with fertiliser-based explosives to preparing larger quantities of IEDs. The module is accused of being behind the suicide bombing near the Red Fort on Nov 10 last year that killed 15 people and injured 29 others.The explosives trail began close to Al-Falah University. In September-October last year, Umer, Ganaie and Jasir Bilal Wani, a student accused of assisting the module, allegedly tested nitro-glycerine near a tubewell on the campus. The explosive had reportedly been prepared at Ganaie’s flat.The group then moved its experiments outside the university, carrying out test blasts in an isolated field before venturing deeper into the Faridabad Aravalis. In a forested area of Dhauj, Umer and Ganaie allegedly conducted further tests using TATP (triacetone triperoxide). NIA said remnants of a pipe-like device used in one such test were later recovered at Ganaie’s instance.The chargesheet said the module initially worked with fertiliser-based mixtures before shifting to TATP after tests demonstrated its destructive potential. The experiments eventually progressed to the preparation of larger quantities of IEDs.The weapons trail ran parallel to the explosives experiments. NIA alleged that Dr Shaheen Shahid, an associate professor in Al-Falah’s pharmacology department, provided around Rs 16 lakh to members of Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH), a militant outfit founded in Kashmir in 2016 and linked to al-Qaida’s ideology. The agency alleged that the money, routed through Ganaie, was used to procure a Krinkov rifle, an AK-47 and two pistols.During Adeel’s visit to Al-Falah in October-November 2024, Ganaie, Adeel and Shaheen allegedly test-fired the Krinkov in another forested area of Dhauj. NIA further alleged that rented premises in Khori Jamalpur and Dhauj were later used to store chemicals, equipment and explosives away from public view.The procurement of material was also allegedly systematic. Umer, Ganaie, Shaheen and Wani visited markets in Gurgaon and Faridabad to buy fertilisers, chemicals, electrical equipment, trolley bags, collapsible water bags, gas stoves and other material needed for the preparations. The items were initially kept in flats on the Al-Falah campus before being shifted to rented premises near Dhauj.Wani, a Qazigund resident and political science graduate, allegedly provided technical assistance to the group. NIA said he repeatedly visited Al-Falah, helped prepare explosives and assisted in shifting raw materials to rented premises. He also allegedly prepared rocket-type IEDs while staying in Umer’s room.By early 2025, the module had allegedly fabricated several “suitcase-type IEDs” and shifted part of the stock to another rented property in Dhauj. A major cache was subsequently recovered from Fatehpur Taga, where around 2,600kg of ammonium nitrate was seized on Nov 9, a day before the Red Fort blast.Umer, identified by NIA as the suicide bomber, was killed when the i20 he was driving exploded near the crowded metro station. The blast killed 15 people and injured 29 others.The chargesheet also shed light on why Umer allegedly continued working at Al-Falah despite receiving a higher-paying job offer in Pathankot. According to NIA, the university gave him access to chemicals, fertilisers, electrical equipment, vehicles, firearms and members of AGuH.“That is because if Umer had chosen to move out of Al-Falah, his entire racket for hatching conspiracy with the co-accused and others would not have taken shape,” the chargesheet stated.
