Massive Explosives Seizure in Faridabad Unravels Terror Module Linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed

Faridabad has recently been thrust into the national spotlight following a series of major security operations that unveiled a large terror module allegedly linked to the banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The multi-agency crackdown, conducted jointly by Jammu and Kashmir Police and Haryana Police between November 8 and 10, led to the seizure of nearly 2,900 kg of explosives along with arms and ammunition, and the arrest of multiple suspects, including doctors originally from Jammu and Kashmir.

On November 10, authorities recovered 2,563 kg of ammonium nitrate from a house in Dehar Colony, Fatehpur Taga, about 10 km from Faridabad city. This property was linked to Maulana Mohammad Istaq, a mosque cleric who had rented it out approximately eight months ago. Ammonium nitrate is a highly volatile substance that, when combined with fuels or accelerants, can create powerful explosions capable of demolishing buildings and vehicles. Additionally, other explosives and detonators were seized from a second location, bringing the total amount of explosives recovered to about 2,900 kg.

Earlier, police had arrested Dr. Mujammil Shakeel, a Pulwama native and Faridabad-based doctor employed at Al-Falah Hospital, from whose rented accommodation in Dhauj village 350 kg of explosives and arms including an AK-47 rifle were confiscated. Shakeel's arrest followed the apprehension of Dr. Adil Ahmad Rather, who was found to have pasted posters supporting JeM in Srinagar and possessed an AK-47 rifle and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmir.

Investigations revealed that the explosives were being stockpiled to manufacture high-intensity improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Senior officials stated that the scale and sophistication of these seizures indicate a well-planned, structured terrorist operation involving individuals familiar with explosives and terrorist networks.

The Faridabad Police Commissioner, Satender Kumar Gupta, and other officials emphasized the ongoing inquiry into the source and intended use of the explosives. The discovery has also led to heightened security across the national capital, especially following a high-intensity blast near Delhi's Red Fort on November 10, which claimed eight lives and injured many more.

Though authorities have yet to confirm a definitive link between the Faridabad module and the Red Fort blast, both events are being closely investigated given the presence of JeM sympathizers among those arrested and the use of vehicle-borne explosive devices in previous JeM attacks, such as the 2019 Pulwama bombing. More arrests and further probing into the network's activities are anticipated as police continue to unravel the plot intended to target India's capital city.

The foiled terror plan and explosive seizures underscore ongoing threats to national security and the need for vigilant intelligence and law enforcement coordination.