Al Falah University's Terror Connections: From Delhi Blast to Indian Mujahideen Links Revealed

Mirza Shadab Baig was also connected to the Jaipur serial blasts.

Al Falah University in Faridabad, currently under investigation for a "white collar" terror module and money laundering after its links to the Delhi blast terrorist emerged, previously enrolled another student who was implicated in the Gorakhpur, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur serial bomb explosions.

Sources reveal that Umar Mohammad, also known as Umar Nabi - who drove the white Hyundai i20 that exploded near Red Fort on November 10 killing 13 people - is not the first terrorist associated with this controversial institution.

Mirza Shadab Baig, a key operative of the terrorist organization Indian Mujahideen (IM), also studied at the university.

An Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh resident, Baig completed his B.Tech in Electronics and Instrumentation at the university in 2007. Sources indicate he was likely still a student when he became involved in planning the attacks.

The suspect participated in the 2007 Gorakhpur blasts, after which authorities seized his property when his involvement was discovered, according to sources.

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In 2008, Baig reportedly traveled to Udupi, Karnataka to collect explosives for the Jaipur blasts. While there, he allegedly supplied numerous detonators and bearings to IM members Riyaz Bhatkal and Yasin Bhatkal.

With his instrumentation engineering background, which involves designing and implementing control systems and automation technologies, Baig possessed technical expertise in bomb-making, sources stated.

For the Ahmedabad attacks, Baig conducted a thorough reconnaissance of the Gujarat capital 15 days before the explosions. Three teams were established with Qayamuddin Kapadia, Mujeeb Sheikh, and Abdul Raziq, with Atif Amin and Mirza Shadab Baig as members.

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The student arranged all logistics for the terror operations. He constructed the bombs and trained other IM members prior to the attacks.

The accused remains a fugitive and was last tracked to Afghanistan in 2019. A reward of Rs 1 lakh has been placed on his capture.

All about Gorakhpur, Jaipur and Ahmedabad bombings

In May 2007, three lunch box bombs placed on bicycles detonated at brief intervals in a Gorakhpur shopping area. At least six people were injured, prompting city police to issue a red alert.

The following year on May 13, nine coordinated bomb blasts throughout Jaipur - a popular tourist destination - killed over 60 people. Later, on July 26, more than 50 people died when approximately 20 bombs exploded within a 70-minute timeframe across Ahmedabad.

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Police in both states claimed that individuals affiliated with IM, a radical faction of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), were responsible for the attacks.

FIRs against Al Falah university

The Crime Branch has registered two First Information Reports (FIRs) against the university on charges of cheating and forgery following regulatory violations reported by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

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This action followed both statutory bodies highlighting "major irregularities" in the university's operations.

On Saturday, police visited the university's Okhla office seeking information about individuals under investigation.

What happened near Red Fort last week?

The white Hyundai i20 driven by Mohammad exploded in a parking area near Red Fort on November 10, injuring 20 people. The blast was so powerful that several nearby vehicles sustained damage. The area immediately descended into chaos as people rushed to assist the injured.

The explosion occurred hours after authorities arrested eight individuals, including three doctors, and seized 2,900 kg of explosives, uncovering a "white collar" terror network involving Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind operating across Kashmir, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.