The arrest of Lucknow-based Dr Shaheen Saeed in connection with the explosives haul in Faridabad has revealed a disturbing picture of women being recruited for terror activities. It is alleged that Dr Saeed along with the other accused were plotting large-scale attacks across India.
Dr Saeed was allegedly tasked with establishing and leading the Jamaat-ul-Mominaat (JuM), the women wing of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). JuM is headed by Sadia Azhar, the sister of JeM chief, Masood Azhar. Saeed was allegedly in contact with
handlers in Pakistan and was working to expand JeM’s network through covert social media channels and local sympathisers.
Preliminary findings indicate that the suspects intended to orchestrate a series of assaults in Delhi, modelled on the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, during the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition on December 6.
Key landmarks in the national Capital, including the Red Fort, India Gate, the Constitution Club and the Gauri Shankar Temple, were among the identified targets, according to investigations. Investigators also uncovered plans for coordinated strikes on railway stations, shopping centres and major markets across India.
Sources in the police say, Dr Umar Nabi, who was driving the explosives-laden car near the Red Fort, wanted to trigger a powerful blast timed around the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary. His plan collapsed after the arrest of Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie, a faculty member at Faridabad’s Al-Falah University. Police recovered 360 kg of ammonium nitrate from Dr Ganaie’s rented accomodation.
According to officials, Umar panicked after Ganaie’s arrest, and was transporting explosives, when they exploded accidentally. The group was reportedly attempting to provoke communal unrest by attacking religious sites.
Sources said several radicalised doctors from Pulwama, Shopian, and Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir were selected for the operation because their white-collar status allowed them to establish a base in vicinity of Delhi.
A resident of Lucknow’s Lal Bagh area, Dr Saeed was arrested after JeM’s Faridabad module was busted, and an assault rifle was recovered from her car. She is reportedly affiliated with Al-Falah University and closely associated with Dr Ganaie.
