The Radicalization Network: How Imam Irfan Ahmad Recruited Medical Students into Terrorism

Imam Irfan Ahmad, identified as the mastermind behind the Faridabad terror module in Haryana, hails from Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir. He is among seven terror suspects apprehended by the Jammu and Kashmir Police following significant developments including weapon recovery, bomb-making chemical seizures in Faridabad, and the deadly blast near Delhi's Red Fort that claimed nine lives on Monday.

According to intelligence sources, Ahmad specialized in radicalizing medical students. His approach involved patient cultivation of relationships, gradually steering students toward extremist ideologies. Previously employed as paramedical staff at Government Medical College in Srinagar, Ahmad maintained connections with numerous students whom he encountered at a Nowgam mosque.

The investigation reveals that Ahmad systematically influenced Faridabad-based medical students with radical thoughts. Sources indicate he drew inspiration from the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and regularly shared JeM videos with his students to reinforce extremist perspectives.

Ahmad reportedly maintained communication with contacts in Afghanistan through Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. His primary objective appeared to be deeply embedding extremist thinking in the minds of susceptible students.

Two doctors, Muzammil Shakeel and Mohammad Umar, were actively involved in advancing Ahmad's mission. The entire terror module is believed to have been conceptualized by Ahmad himself, according to security sources.

Investigators suggest that Mohammad Umar executed the Delhi blast in a panic response after the Faridabad module's exposure. Umar maintained direct communication with Maulvi Irfan Ahmad throughout their operations.

Dr. Shaheen Sayeed from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, has been identified as the financial supporter of this terror network. Employed as a teacher at Al-Falah University, she reportedly holds a leadership position as India commander of Jaish-e-Mohammed's women's wing, known as Jamaat-ul-Mominaat.