Dr. Shaheen Saeed, a medical professional from Lucknow, has emerged as a central figure in the recent terror investigation linked to the tragic Red Fort blast in New Delhi, which claimed multiple lives and injured many. Her story, as told by close family members including her ex-husband, father, and brother, presents a complex picture of shock and disbelief in the wake of these serious allegations.

Dr. Shaheen, once a lecturer at GSVM Medical College in Kanpur and later associated with Al-Falah University in Faridabad, vanished from public life suddenly in 2013 after taking unauthorized leave from her teaching position. She was dismissed from her government post officially in 2021. Investigators allege that after this disappearance, she began involvement with a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)-linked terror module. She is accused of leading the women's recruitment wing of JeM in India, known as Jamaat-ul-Mominat, which sought to radicalize educated women and professionals.

Her family recounts no hint of any suspicious behavior during her medical studies or career. Her elder brother and father both expressed profound disbelief, stating they had no contact with her for years and were unaware of any illegal activities. Her ex-husband, Dr. Zafar Hayat, shared that their divorce was due to differences over relocating abroad and denied any knowledge or suspicion of her alleged terror links. Even those who knew her described her as brilliant yet withdrawn, with no indication of extremist leanings.

Investigators uncovered links between Dr. Shaheen and other accused individuals, including Dr. Muzammil Ganaie, a Kashmiri doctor implicated in the terror network. Authorities seized 2,900 kg of explosives from rented locations connected to the module, along with arms and ammunition found in Dr. Shaheen's vehicle. The terror module reportedly aimed to rebuild its networks after key leader losses in an anti-terror operation earlier this year.

Further investigations revealed plans connected to Dr. Shaheen for setting up covert training centers disguised as NGOs supporting women's education and medical aid. These centers were designed for recruitment and physical training of women in terror activities, with measures to avoid digital surveillance.

The case underscores the challenge security agencies face when attempting to detect and disrupt terror activities that may involve educated professionals blending their public personas with clandestine extremist roles. The dissonance between Dr. Shaheen's academic background and the terror allegations opens wider questions about radicalization pathways and the need for vigilance.