Inside the Mind of a Terror Recruiter: How JeM's Maulvi Irfan Ahmed Built a White Collar Terror Network

Uma Un Nabi detonated a car bomb in Delhi's crowded Chandni Chowk on November 10.

New Delhi:

Maulvi Irfan Ahmed, the arrested terror suspect from Jammu and Kashmir who implemented Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) plan to create a white collar terror module, vigilantly observed 'potential candidates' for radicalization and acted swiftly to recruit them upon detecting positive responses, according to sources.

Irfan Ahmed's primary responsibility involved radicalizing educated young professionals and connecting them with the JeM terror organization.

Prior to assembling doctors and forming the 'invisible' white collar terror network in Haryana's Faridabad, he encountered Muzamil Shakeel and methodically prepared him for 'recruitment'.

In his recruitment approach, Irfan Ahmed employed three primary strategies to identify individuals susceptible to radicalization for terror operations.

Making Conversations, Building Bonds

Sources indicate that Irfan Ahmed was notably conversational. While appearing as an ordinary individual, he strategically assessed whether his conversation partners would be receptive to discussions about Islam.

When a 'target' individual demonstrated receptivity, Irfan Ahmed would cultivate a relationship, as exemplified with Muzamil Shakeel, the first doctor he recruited after meeting him at a hospital.

This doctor-patient relationship eventually transformed into a terror cell.

Scanning Social Media Posts

Irfan Ahmed analyzed social media profiles to identify individuals with perspectives he considered potentially aligned with his cause. Upon identifying someone with separatist or extremist ideologies, Irfan Ahmed would share religious materials and content, mirroring his interaction approach. He applied this method with Adeel Ahmad Rather, whose arrest by Jammu and Kashmir Police ultimately exposed the entire network.

Checking Attendance At Mosque

The maulvi reportedly identified potential recruits by monitoring individuals who regularly attended mosques or participated in prayers. He would initiate interactions and gradually incorporate them into the terror network. This approach was used with Jasir Bilal Wani Alias Danish following Adeel Ahmad Rather's recommendation.

Pakistan Connection

Digital evidence revealed that Irfan Ahmed maintained connections with JeM handler Hanzulla in Pakistan. Another JeM terrorist who had infiltrated Jammu and Kashmir provided him with two AK series assault rifles.

One weapon was discovered in Muzamil Shakeel's hospital locker, while the other was found in arrested terror suspect Shaheen Saeed's vehicle.

Investigators reported that during interrogation, Irfan Ahmed mentioned requesting his Pakistani handler to reveal his identity in August 2023.

In August 2023, Irfan asked his Pakistani handler to disclose his true identity. However, the handler severed all communications and maintained contact exclusively via the Telegram application.

Sources informed NDTV that all key suspects, including suicide bomber Umar Un Nabi, had clearly defined roles. Despite their diverse responsibilities, from logistics to bomb-making, all members understood their collective objective – executing terror attacks.

The terror attack near Delhi's Red Fort resulted in 13 fatalities.

With inputs from Pradeep Dutta