Haryana preacher held in ‘white-collar’ terror network tied to Red Fort blast; 2,500 kg explosives seized

As the investigation into the deadly Red Fort car blast gathers pace, Jammu and Kashmir Police on November 12 detained a preacher from Haryana’s Mewat in connection with what officials describe as a “white-collar” terror module spanning multiple states.

The preacher, identified as Maulvi Ishtiyaq, was detained from a rented accommodation inside the Al Falah University complex in Faridabad, where investigators earlier seized over 2,500 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, potassium chlorate, and sulphur — materials used in large-scale explosives. He has since been brought to Srinagar and is likely to be placed under arrest, officials confirmed.

According to police sources, Ishtiyaq’s residence was allegedly used to store explosive material by two key suspects — Dr Muzammil Ganaie, a junior resident doctor at Al Falah Medical College arrested on October 30, and Dr Umar Nabi, who was driving the car that exploded near Red Fort on November 10 evening, killing over a dozen people and injuring several others.

A widening web

The J&K Police, in coordination with agencies in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, had earlier busted what they called an “interstate and transnational terror module” with alleged links to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH). Seven suspects were arrested in the initial raids, and Ishtiyaq is expected to become the ninth person in custody.

Officials describe the network as a “white-collar” operation — one that allegedly used educated professionals, including doctors and university staff, to fund and facilitate terror activities under the guise of legitimate institutions.

Delhi on edge

In the aftermath of the November 10 blast near the Red Fort Metro Station, Delhi has been placed on high alert. Security has been tightened at all major entry and exit points, with paramilitary deployments and intensive vehicle checks across the capital.

“Thousands of police personnel across Haryana have also been put on high alert,” said Haryana DGP O.P. Singh, adding that suspicious areas, parking lots, and transit points were being combed as part of the joint investigation.

Meanwhile, forensic experts have recovered over 40 samples, including live ammunition and multiple explosive residues, from the blast site. K-9 squads and National Security Guard teams continue to sweep the area for secondary materials.

Campus under shadow

At the heart of the investigation is Al Falah University, a private institution on the outskirts of Faridabad. Established in 1997 and upgraded to university status in 2014, it runs several undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including medical and engineering courses.

Students say the arrests have cast a pall of uncertainty over the campus. “We are worried about our job prospects after graduation. Who will hire us after this?” a third-year MBBS student told reporters.

Political reactions

Calling the blast a “grave intelligence lapse,” Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao said, “If this can happen in Delhi, it can happen anywhere. The government must take accountability.”

As agencies chase leads across three states, investigators are piecing together how an educated, seemingly legitimate circle — bound by academic institutions and professional credentials — could mask one of the most chilling terror networks in recent memory.