Our Bureau
New Delhi
Investigations into the recent car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort have uncovered a troubling link between a key terror suspect, Dr. Shaheen Saeed, and Afirah Bibi, the wife of Jaish-e-Mohammed commander Umar Farooq, the mastermind behind the 2019 Pulwama attack. Sources reveal that Shaheen Saeed, a senior doctor previously employed at Faridabad’s Al-Falah University, was in contact with Afirah Bibi, who recently joined Jamaat-ul-Mominat, the newly formed women’s brigade of Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Shaheen Saeed was arrested after assault rifles and ammunition were reportedly found in her car. She was allegedly tasked with establishing the India wing of Jamaat-ul-Mominat and facilitating the recruitment of radicalized women for terror activities. Umar Farooq, who was killed in a police encounter after the Pulwama attack, was a nephew of Jaish chief Masood Azhar.
Investigators describe the terror group as a well-educated network operating from Faridabad’s Al-Falah University, which also included suspects Muzammil and Umar—both linked to the terror plot. Muzammil reportedly admitted to scouting the Red Fort area and planning attacks on major occasions like Republic Day and Diwali, some of which were aborted. Umar died in the car explosion near the Red Fort.
Sources say the group used encrypted communication channels for indoctrination, coordination, funding, and logistics. Funds were raised under the guise of social and charitable causes, while efforts were underway to recruit and radicalize individuals.
Originally from Lucknow, Shaheen had lived in the UAE between 2016 and 2018 and previously served as a medical college department head. Despite her professional background, colleagues noted her frequent absenteeism. The investigation is ongoing.
