'White collar' terror ring uncovered

In a major counter-terror operation, the Jammu and Kashmir Police and Haryana Police, in coordination with the Intelligence Bureau, have busted a terror module linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ulHind (AGuH) outfits, arresting eight people, including two doctors, and seizing around 2,900 kg of improvised explosive device (IED) material, chemicals, and arms. The bulk was found in Anantnag.

- Rajesh Moudgil & M Saleem Pandit

In the process police uncovered what appeared to be a "white-collar terror ecosystem" involving radicalised professionals and students. The accused were allegedly identifying and indoctrinating individuals, raising funds, and providing logistical support for terror operations.

The operation, which has been underway for the past two weeks, is being described as one of the biggest terrorrelated seizures in the National Capital Region (NCR) in recent years. Among those arrested are two doctors from Haryana's Faridabad district, one of whom, identified as Dr Muzammil Shakil, an MBBS doctor and teacher at Al Falah Medical College, was found with 360 kg of ammonium nitrate during a police raid on Sunday. He hails from Jammu and Kashmir.

Police said part of the the seizure was from Dr Rather's locker at GMC Anantnag which included an AK-47 rifle, a Chinese pistol, a Beretta pistol. Other items which included large quantities of ammunition, and material used for making IEDs, including chemicals, reagents, batteries, wires, electronic circuits, and timers was found elsewhere in Anantnag, Initial reports suggested that part of the material might be RDX, but it was later clarified that the substance is likely ammonium nitrate, pending forensic confirmation.