Medical Doctor Arrested in Terror Plot: Dr. Shaheen Saeed's Connections to Jaish-e-Mohammed Exposed

New Delhi:

In a crowded lane of Lucknow's Daliganj neighborhood, Syed Ahmad Ansari's home has become the center of unexpected attention after his daughter, Dr. Shaheen Saeed, was arrested in connection with a devastating explosion approximately 550 km away in New Delhi and for alleged connections to a Jaish-e-Mohammed terror network.

Two days following the Red Fort explosion in the capital that claimed nine lives and injured about a dozen people, the physician's family continues to express shock and disbelief. Her elder brother, father, and ex-husband all maintain that there had never been any indication she could be involved in illegal activities.

Authorities have accused Dr. Saeed of working to establish the women's recruitment division of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in India.

Dr. Saeed was taken into custody after authorities discovered 2,900 kg of explosive materials from two rented accommodations in Faridabad, near Delhi. These rooms belonged to Dr. Muzammil Ganaie, a Kashmiri doctor and colleague at Al-Falah University, where Dr. Saeed was employed.

Intelligence sources report that Ganaie, also known as Musaib, was part of what they describe as a "white-collar terror module" with connections to terrorist organizations Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. A search of Dr. Saeed's Maruti Suzuki Swift registered in Faridabad allegedly revealed an assault rifle, a pistol, and ammunition. Sources indicate she maintained close contact with Ganaie and had been appointed to lead the India branch of Jamaat-ul-Mominaat—JeM's women's wing—which is headed in Pakistan by Sadia Azhar, sister of JeM leader Masood Azhar.

In Lucknow, her elder brother Mohammad Shoaib stated that police and Anti-Terrorism Squad officers had visited their residence but treated them respectfully. "They searched the house and asked questions normally, just as you are asking me now," he said, according to PTI. "Neither my father nor I experienced harsh treatment. No pressure or force was applied to make us say anything. They only inquired when my sister stopped visiting us."

He mentioned that the siblings had not communicated for four years. "We have had no contact. It's been four years since we last spoke," he said, though their parents occasionally checked on her. "Parents naturally call their children to inquire about their wellbeing. As her elder brother, of course I would also be concerned about her. Isn't that normal?"

Shoaib revealed he had never visited her residence near IIM Road on the outskirts of Lucknow. "No, I have never gone there. I only knew she has a house somewhere along the IIM Road. I don't even know the exact location," he stated. He denied ever suspecting her of wrongdoing. "Even during her medical studies, there was never any sign of her involvement in anything suspicious. I still don't believe these allegations. As I've said before, I simply cannot accept it," he maintained.

Dr. Saeed's father, Syed Ahmad Ansari, shared the same disbelief as her brother. "I cannot believe that my daughter was involved in such activities," he said according to IANS. Ansari explained that Dr. Saeed studied medicine in Allahabad and subsequently worked in Faridabad.

"My eldest son, Shoaib, resides here with me. The second, Shaheen Syed, was arrested yesterday. My younger son, Parvez Ansari, whose residence was raided this morning, left the city long ago. I last spoke to Shaheen about a month ago, but I communicate with Parvez almost weekly. I had no knowledge about Shaheen's arrest."

He mentioned that Dr. Saeed had been married to someone from Maharashtra before divorcing.

Approximately 90 km away in Kanpur, Crime Branch officers questioned Dr. Zafar Hayat, Dr. Saeed's former husband. Dr. Hayat stated that he only learned about Shaheen's arrest on Tuesday evening.

"We married in November 2003 and both pursued medical studies separately, with me being her senior," he explained. "Our divorce occurred towards the end of 2012. I'm uncertain what led to it. There was never any dispute or conflict between us. She was loving and caring. I never suspected she could be involved in such activities. She was deeply connected to her family and children, loved them immensely and prioritized their education."

Reflecting on their time together, Dr. Hayat mentioned that Dr. Saeed never wore a burqa except during their wedding. "I had never seen her in a burqa. I have no information about her alleged involvement in any terrorist activities now being reported. Our divorce happened long ago, in 2012, and if she became involved in something afterward, I know nothing about it. Once she suggested relocating to Australia or Europe for better compensation and quality of life. But I told her we already enjoy a good life here, have good positions and children. We have relatives and connections here; we would feel isolated there," he recalled.

Kanpur Commissioner of Police Raghubir Lal confirmed that intelligence information following the Delhi explosion prompted the Crime Branch to question Dr. Hayat. The Crime Branch also visited the Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial (GSVM) Medical College, where Dr. Saeed had previously taught, to examine her records.

Investigators report that Dr. Saeed disappeared from her position at GSVM Medical College in 2013 without notice, resulting in her dismissal in 2021. They allege that after joining Al Falah University, she established contact with Dr. Ganaie and two other doctors currently arrested in the Faridabad explosives case. Dr. Ganaie, from Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, had previously been named in a Jammu and Kashmir Police case for displaying materials supporting JeM.

His interrogation led to the seizure of 2,900 kg of ammonium nitrate, timers, and detonators.

Intelligence agencies have connected the case to JeM's efforts to rebuild its networks following Operation Sindoor, during which key JeM figures, including Yusuf Azhar—husband of Masood Azhar's sister Sadia—were killed in May. The JeM formally announced the creation of its women's unit, Jamaat-ul-Mominaat, in Bahawalpur in October, with recruitment reported across Bahawalpur, Karachi, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Haripur, and Mansehra. Officials allege that Dr. Saeed, with her medical credentials and academic position, was tasked with replicating that model within India.