Srinagar, November 22, 2025 – A man has been arrested in Srinagar by the Jammu and Kashmir Police's State Investigation Agency (SIA) in connection with an ongoing investigation into a "white-collar" terror module. The arrest comes amid intensified searches by authorities across hospitals and media offices in Jammu and Kashmir.
The investigation into the "white-collar" terror module has revealed a disturbing trend of recruiting educated youths with no prior criminal or separatist links. Officials noted that individuals like Dr. Adeel Rather, his brother Dr. Muzaffar Rather, and Dr. Muzammil Ganaie had no past involvement in anti-national activities, which allowed them to operate under the radar. This new strategy contrasts with past methods that favored recruits with established terror connections.
The module's activities came to light after posters threatening police and security forces appeared on walls in Bunpora, Nowgam, in mid-October. Srinagar police registered a case on October 19 and formed a dedicated team to investigate. A meticulous review of CCTV footage led to the identification and arrest of the first three suspects: Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid.
Further investigation led the Srinagar police to Al Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana, where they arrested Dr. Ganaie and Dr. Shaheen Sayeed. A significant cache of chemicals, including ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and sulphur, was seized from this location. Investigators believe that the entire module was run by a core group of doctors, including Ganaie, Dr. Umar Nabi (who is believed to have died in an explosion near the Red Fort on November 10), and Muzaffar Rather, who is currently absconding. An AK-56 rifle was seized from Dr. Adeel Rather, and his role in the module is still under investigation.
The "white-collar" terror module had been actively searching for a suicide bomber since 2024. According to investigators, Dr. Umar Nabi, considered the key planner of the module, insisted on the need for a suicide attacker for their operations.
The investigation has also uncovered the involvement of Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, a former paramedic-turned-Imam from Shopian, who allegedly supplied the posters and played a key role in radicalizing the doctors.
Authorities have seized a significant amount of bomb-making materials, including 2,900 kg of explosives and various guns, during raids across Jammu & Kashmir and in Faridabad. The module is linked to banned terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. The rise of white-collar terrorism networks poses a significant challenge for Indian security agencies, who are now tracking the flow of funds to and from the terrorists and their backers.
