Links to Jaish-e-Mohammed Uncovered in Red Fort Blast Investigation

Post by : Raina Nasser

New Delhi: Investigations into the tragic car explosion near Delhi's iconic Red Fort have revealed crucial affiliations with the Pakistan-based militant outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). This devastating incident resulted in nine fatalities and over 20 injuries, involving a Hyundai i20 loaded with ammonium nitrate fuel oil.

Authorities have uncovered two key relationships tying JeM to the explosion. The first pertains to a terror cell directly implicated in executing the attack, while the second focuses on Shaheena Shahid, a medical professional whose vehicle contained an assault rifle and ammunition. Shahid is suspected to lead the JeM women’s division in India.

On Monday, Shahid and her associate, Dr. Mujammil Shakeel, who is affiliated with Al-Falah Hospital in Faridabad, were taken into custody. Police also seized approximately 2,900 kg of explosive substances from Shakeel’s residences, including ammonium nitrate — the same compound used in the Red Fort explosion.

A third doctor, Adil Ahmed Rather, was apprehended in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Investigators suggest that Dr. Umar Mohammed, another member of the cell, may have detonated the blast out of panic following the arrests, indicating the possibility of a suicide attack.

The involvement of medical professionals in terror activities marks a troubling shift in JeM's operational strategy, showcasing a “white-collar” methodology where educated individuals are employed for organizational tasks, resource acquisition, and combat execution.

The terror organization, established by Masood Azhar, has a history of executing high-profile assaults, including the 2019 Pulwama attack and the Pahalgam killings in April 2025. In response to persistent strikes by Indian military forces on its training establishments, JeM has been reconstructing its network, allegedly with backing from the Pakistani deep state. This effort includes the formation of a women’s division, Jamat ul-Muminat, led by Sadiya Azhar, aimed at recruiting and indoctrinating women near JeM’s remaining camps.

Ongoing investigations are broadening to encompass multiple states, striving to unveil more extensive networks related to the Red Fort blast and shedding light on the rising threat posed by intricate terror modules operating within professional environments.