Terror Suspect Dr. Shaheen Saeed's Links to Pulwama Attack Mastermind's Wife and Jaish-e-Mohammed's Women's Brigade

Shaheed Saeed maintained communication with Pulwama mastermind Umar Farooq's wife Afirah, according to investigative sources.

New Delhi:

In a significant development, investigators examining the Jaish-e-Mohammed connection in the Delhi blast and Faridabad explosives seizure have discovered that Dr. Shaheen Saeed was communicating with Afirah Bibi, the spouse of Jaish commander and Pulwama attack orchestrator Umar Farooq.

Umar Farooq, nephew of Jaish chief Masood Azhar, was eliminated in an encounter following the 2019 Pulwama attack that resulted in the deaths of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel.

According to information obtained, Umar's wife, Afirah Bibi, holds a prominent position in the Jaish's recently established women's wing, Jamaat-ul-Mominat. Just weeks prior to the Delhi blast, Afirah joined Shura, the brigade's advisory council. Sources indicate she operates alongside Sadia Azhar, Masood Azhar's younger sister, and both maintained contact with Shaheen Saeed.

Shaheen Saeed, who served as a senior doctor at Faridabad's Al-Falah University, was apprehended after assault rifles and ammunition were discovered in her vehicle. The investigation has revealed that Shaheed Saeed was assigned to establish Jamaat-ul-Mominat's presence in India and recruit radicalized women for terrorist activities.

Originally from Lucknow, Shaheen Saeed had previously worked at various medical colleges before joining Al-Falah University. The investigation has determined that she served as Head of the Department of Pharmacology at a medical college in Kanpur from September 2012 to December 2013. Her passport records show that she resided in the UAE for two years, between 2016 and 2018.

Colleagues of Shaheen Saeed have reported that she frequently missed work without notification.

Shaheen Saeed was previously married to a doctor named Dr. Hayat Zafar, but they separated in 2012. Their two children reside with Dr. Zafar. Her former husband has stated that he has had no contact with her since their separation.

"She was never particularly religious, and she maintained liberal views. She wanted us to relocate to Australia or Europe. Subsequently, we separated," he previously stated. "We disagreed about moving to Australia. My children do not communicate with her. She was a professor of pulmonology who completed her degree in 2006." Shaheen's father has expressed disbelief that she could be involved in such activities.

Investigators have learned that Shaheen frequently missed classes, and university authorities had received complaints against her. She also served on the college's core committee. Investigators have requested her attendance records from university officials to determine when she was present for classes.

Doctors Shaheen, Muzammil, and Umar were employed at Al-Falah University in Faridabad. While Shaheen and Muzammil remain in custody, Umar is believed to have died when he triggered a car explosion near Red Fort, resulting in 13 fatalities and 20 injuries on Monday.