Links to Jaish-e-Mohammed Uncovered in Delhi Red Fort Blast Investigation

New Delhi: Authorities probing the tragic car explosion near Delhi’s iconic Red Fort have identified critical links to the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The blast, which resulted in nine fatalities and over 20 injuries, involved a Hyundai i20 loaded with ammonium nitrate fuel oil.

Two primary connections have emerged tying the attack to JeM. The first pertains to a terror cell believed to have orchestrated the assault, while the second involves Shaheena Shahid, a medical practitioner linked to the discovery of an assault rifle and munitions in her vehicle. Shahid reportedly leads JeM's women’s faction within India.

Shahid and her associate, Dr. Mujammil Shakeel, previously affiliated with Al-Falah Hospital in Faridabad, were apprehended on Monday. Authorities also seized approximately 2,900 kg of explosive materials from Shakeel's residence, including ammonium nitrate—the same substance implicated in the Red Fort incident.

Additionally, Adil Ahmed Rather, another physician, was captured in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Investigators suspect that a third collaborator, Dr. Umar Mohammed, might have detonated the bomb in a desperate response to the arrests, hinting at a potential suicide bombing.

The involvement of healthcare professionals in terrorist activities marks a troubling shift in JeM's tactics, revealing a “white-collar” dimension to extremism that recruits educated individuals for logistical and operational roles.

Founded by Masood Azhar, JeM is notorious for significant attacks like the 2019 Pulwama incident and the Pahalgam murders in April 2025. In reaction to ongoing Indian military actions against its training facilities, the group is restructuring its operations with backing from Pakistan’s state apparatus. This trend includes the recruitment of women through its faction, Jamat ul-Muminat, led by Sadiya Azhar, aimed at attracting and radicalizing women close to JeM’s training zones.

As the investigation broadens across various states, authorities are determined to unearth more intricate networks that could be associated with the Red Fort blast, showcasing the sophisticated threat from professional sectors involved in terrorism.