Srinagar, Nov 12: Jammu and Kashmir Police have detained a preacher from Mewat, Haryana, in connection with the Red Fort explosion, linking him to a “white-collar” terror network operating out of Faridabad’s Al Falah University. The preacher, identified as Maulvi Ishtiyaq, was taken into custody on Wednesday and brought to Srinagar for questioning.
Police officials revealed that Ishtiyaq had been residing in a rented house within the Al Falah University complex. During searches at his residence, authorities recovered over 2,500 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, potassium chlorate, and sulphur key ingredients commonly used to manufacture explosives. He is expected to be formally arrested soon, making him the ninth individual detained in the ongoing investigation.
Investigators describe the terror module as a “white-collar” network of banned outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH). Several members of the module, including doctors and university staff, allegedly leveraged their academic positions as a cover for extremist activities.
Officials confirmed that the explosive materials found at Ishtiyaq’s residence had been stored by Dr. Muzammil Ganaie (also known as Musaib) and Dr. Umar Nabi, the latter believed to have driven the explosives-laden vehicle that detonated outside Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening, killing 12 people and injuring several others.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police, in coordination with authorities in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, conducted a series of interstate raids on November 10 to dismantle the network responsible for financing and transporting explosive materials across multiple states.
Investigators said the network had been operating covertly for months, using coded communication, encrypted messages, and fake educational credentials to evade detection while planning attacks.
Meanwhile, Delhi remains on high alert following the Red Fort blast. Security has been intensified across the city, particularly at entry and exit points such as Ghazipur, Singhu, Tikri, and Badarpur borders. Sniffer dogs, bomb disposal squads, and metal detectors have been deployed at crowded markets, railway stations, and government buildings.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or unattended items to the nearest police station or emergency helplines immediately.