Delhi Terror Plot: How Four Doctors at Al Falah University Planned the Deadly Red Fort Blast

New Delhi:

Al Falah University in Faridabad, approximately 45 km from Delhi, has been identified as the central planning location for the explosion that devastated central Delhi last Monday. Investigators are focusing on four doctors employed by the university who have alleged connections to the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammad. The university administration has officially stated they had "no connection" with these individuals beyond their professional roles.

The explosion, which occurred near Red Fort Metro Station when a Hyundai i20 detonated in slow-moving traffic, claimed at least 13 lives. DNA evidence confirmed Dr. Umar Mohammad as the vehicle's driver, according to sources. Three other physicians—Dr. Muzammil Shakeel, Dr. Adeel Rather, and Dr. Shaheed Saeed—have been taken into police custody.

Based on information from sources and law enforcement, NDTV has reconstructed how the attack was conceived and organized at various locations within the university grounds.

Fundraising

The four doctors collectively accumulated Rs 20 lakh to execute terror attacks throughout Delhi. Reports indicate they were planning serial bombings across the National Capital Region (NCR) on December 6, the anniversary of the 1992 Babri mosque demolition in Ayodhya.

Read: Red Fort Blast Terrorists Wanted To Use Four Cars In Serial Bomb Attack

Dr. Umar was entrusted with the entire sum for safekeeping. Subsequently, the group purchased approximately 26 quintals of NPK fertilizer from markets in Gurugram, Nuh, and surrounding areas at a cost of roughly Rs 3 lakh. Investigators believe this fertilizer was intended for manufacturing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and consider it an integral component of the bombing conspiracy.

The Planning

Situated on 70 acres of land, Al Falah University is located about 27 km from the Haryana-Delhi border. A room on campus has been identified as the meeting location for the doctors involved in the plot. Dr. Umar and his associates held clandestine meetings in building number 17. Room number 13, belonging to Dr. Muzammil, served as their frequent gathering place. Police suspect this room was where they formulated plans to conduct explosions in Delhi and various parts of Uttar Pradesh.

Smuggling Chemicals

The conspirators initially planned to smuggle chemicals from the university laboratory to create explosives. The laboratory is situated just meters from Muzammil's room. Dr. Umar and Dr. Shaheen, both faculty members, reportedly procured the necessary chemicals, which were subsequently stored in rented accommodations in Faridabad's Dhauj and Taga villages.

Read: Diaries With Code Words, A Repeat Mention: Major Recovery After Delhi Blast

Authorities have sealed Dr. Muzammil's room after recovering multiple electronic devices and storage media. Two diaries containing code words and encrypted messages were also discovered, with frequent mentions of the word 'operation.'

Forensic experts have identified chemical residues and retrieved digital information from both the room and university laboratory. Investigators now believe that chemicals appropriated from the lab were used to manufacture explosives by combining small quantities of ammonium nitrate with an oxidizing agent.

Sources previously indicated that an undisclosed amount of ANFO, an explosive mixture containing ammonium nitrate and fuel oil, was utilized in the Delhi attack. During searches in Faridabad, authorities seized over 2,000 kg of explosive materials, including 350 kg of ammonium nitrate.

What Al Falah Said

Al Falah University's administration has expressed distress and condemned the Delhi explosion, maintaining that the institution had no involvement with the detained doctors beyond their official employment. "We have also learnt that two of our doctors have been detained by the Investigating Agencies. We wish to make it clear that the University has no connection with the said persons apart from them working in their official capacities with the University," the statement read. Vice-Chancellor Bhupinder Kaur Anan also denounced unfounded reports attempting to tarnish the university's reputation.