The investigation into the November 10 Delhi blast has taken a significant turn with revelations about one of the accused, Dr Shaheen Shahid, a former pharmacologist at Al-Falah University. Sources from the Faridabad police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have disclosed that Shahid had not only played a central role in the planning of the terror attack but had also intended to recruit women to execute the mission. The developments highlight the sophisticated nature of the so-called “white-collar terror module” and the extensive network that authorities are uncovering.

Background of the Accused

Dr Shaheen Shahid, who was arrested in connection with the blast, has a notable academic and professional profile. Prior to her arrest, she served as a pharmacology professor at Al-Falah University, where she is alleged to have operated her network and recruited contacts for terror-related activities. Sources reveal that Shahid had also spent four years working in Saudi Arabia, from 2014 to 2018, as a professor at a medical college. This international exposure, combined with her academic position in India, provided her with access to young students and professionals, potentially enabling her recruitment efforts.

The NIA and local police investigations have shown that Shahid leveraged her institutional and personal networks to build a clandestine operational framework. During interrogations, she reportedly admitted to targeting women for involvement in terrorist activities, raising concerns about the module’s attempts to exploit unsuspecting individuals for carrying out high-risk operations.

On-Site Investigation at Al-Falah University

In a crucial development on Thursday, the NIA brought Dr Shahid to the Al-Falah University campus for detailed questioning and on-site verification of her activities. During this visit, investigators meticulously retraced Shahid’s daily movements and interactions within the university. She was taken to multiple locations, including the medical ward, classrooms, and her personal cabin, where she had conducted her professional work. This thorough examination was aimed at identifying potential collaborators, recruitment methods, and the logistics of her planning.

A senior police officer involved in the investigation said that the NIA has compiled a comprehensive list of individuals with whom Shahid had regular interactions. The probe is examining whether any of these contacts were aware of, or involved in, her terror-related activities. Investigators also visited a chemical shop allegedly used by another accused, Dr Muzammil, to procure materials for explosives. This step is part of an effort to map the supply chain and material sources that facilitated the planning and potential execution of the attack.

Recovery of Cash and Valuables

During raids conducted as part of the investigation, the NIA reportedly recovered substantial amounts of unaccounted wealth from Shahid’s hostel room at the university. This included ₹18.5 lakh in cash, several gold biscuits, and foreign currency. Authorities suspect that these funds may have been intended to finance terror operations or secure the cooperation of potential recruits. The recovery underscores the financial sophistication of the module and suggests a systematic approach to funding clandestine activities.

The presence of such large sums and valuables at an academic institution has raised alarms regarding the oversight of university campuses and the potential misuse of educational environments for extremist purposes. The NIA is now investigating the sources of these funds, as well as any financial links between Shahid and other module members, both domestic and international.

Identification of Co-Accused

Earlier in the week, the NIA conducted an identification procedure for Dr Muzammil, another suspect in the case, at the Al-Falah University campus. Sources indicate that Dr Adil Ahmad, a third accused, may also be brought to the campus for a spot identification in the coming days. These steps are crucial for establishing connections among the suspects and verifying their roles in the operational network.

According to officials, Shahid’s interactions with Muzammil and Ahmad, along with her movements within the university, are being mapped to understand the structure and hierarchy of the terror module. Preliminary findings suggest that Shahid played a coordinating role, potentially facilitating communication, logistics, and recruitment activities, including targeting women for operational tasks.

Implications of Recruiting Women

The revelation that Shahid intended to recruit women for the terror mission marks a significant escalation in the case. Historically, women have been involved in isolated instances of terrorism, often for logistic support or operational cover. However, recruiting women in a premeditated attack indicates a strategic expansion of the module’s operational capabilities. Authorities are assessing how Shahid planned to identify and train potential recruits, and whether any of her plans had progressed to actionable stages.

Police and intelligence officials have highlighted that this development also raises broader concerns about the vulnerability of academic institutions and professional environments to radicalization efforts. By positioning herself as a trusted figure in an educational setting, Shahid could have exploited authority and access to influence young individuals.

Ongoing Investigation and NIA Strategy

The NIA team spent approximately four hours on-site at Al-Falah University, meticulously retracing Shahid’s activities, questioning her, and identifying critical locations relevant to the case. After the investigation, she was escorted back to Delhi at around 9:00 pm. The detailed mapping of her movements and contacts is expected to play a central role in understanding the breadth of the network and preventing future attacks.

Officials have indicated that the investigation is ongoing and highly methodical. The agency is focusing not only on the material and operational aspects of the plot but also on the social and recruitment strategies employed by Shahid. This includes analyzing digital communications, financial transactions, and associations that may have facilitated the recruitment of potential operatives.

International Dimensions

Shahid’s time in Saudi Arabia from 2014 to 2018 is also under scrutiny. Authorities are examining whether her international tenure had any links to radicalization or the acquisition of skills, networks, or materials relevant to terrorist activities. The probe aims to establish whether any foreign contacts played a role in supporting, funding, or guiding the operations of the Delhi-based module.

Statements from Senior Officers

A senior police officer involved in the case emphasized that Shahid was “active in terrorist activities while staying at Al-Falah University” and was systematically creating a network by connecting individuals for extremist purposes. The officer further noted that the ongoing investigation has revealed both domestic and potentially international dimensions of the conspiracy. Law enforcement officials are coordinating closely with intelligence agencies to ensure that no active threats remain unmonitored and that the network is fully dismantled.

Public and Institutional Implications

The case has triggered wider concern over the misuse of educational institutions and the vulnerabilities within professional networks. Authorities are now considering broader preventive measures, including closer monitoring of campus activities, stricter background verification for academic positions, and enhanced awareness programs to detect early signs of radicalization.

As the probe continues, authorities are urging vigilance within universities and research institutions, highlighting the importance of reporting suspicious behavior and ensuring that academic environments remain safe for students and faculty alike.

Conclusion

Dr Shaheen Shahid’s arrest and the revelations about her intentions to recruit women for terrorist activities underscore the complexity of modern terror modules in India. The NIA’s methodical investigation, including on-site questioning and recovery of significant cash and valuables, is shedding light on the operational, financial, and recruitment mechanisms of the network. With multiple suspects already in custody and further identification procedures planned, authorities are working to dismantle the module comprehensively. The case serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of terrorism and the need for constant vigilance, especially within institutions that might inadvertently provide access or legitimacy to extremist actors.