22 educated JeMs exposed, ‘white-collar’ pan-India terror network cracked

INVESTIGATIVE agencies have identified twenty-two doctors, engineers, and other educated professionals as part of what they call a “white-collar” terror module directly linked to its key member, Maulvi Irfan Ahmad Wagay, who was arrested from Nowgam in Jammu and Kashmir on October 19. Officials said the group was planning a series of coordinated bomb blasts across several Indian cities.

- SUMIT KUMAR SINGH @New Delhi

“They were not planning one or two attacks but serial blasts. Materials were obtained, reconnaissance was completed, and devices were ready,” a senior investigator said. “They were all awaiting final authorisation from their Pakistan handler, but got busted.”

Teams from the National Investigation Agency, along with local police, are carrying out searches in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and several other parts of the country to track down and arrest the remaining suspects. Other agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate, have also joined the investigation to dismantle the network. “Lookout alerts have been issued at all international airports and borders so that the accused do not leave the country,” a senior security officer said. Local police forces have also been alerted at major railway stations.