A significant breakthrough has occurred in the investigation of the recent Delhi Red Fort blast and the explosives haul in Faridabad with the arrest of Irfan Ahmad Wagah, an imam from Shopian, Jammu and Kashmir. Known for his role in radicalising medical professionals, particularly doctors, Wagah's arrest marks a critical development in uncovering a sophisticated terror network.

Irfan Ahmad Wagah, who previously worked as a paramedical staff member at the Government Medical College in Srinagar and served as an imam in Nowgam, has been accused of encouraging medical students and professionals toward extremist ideologies. Intelligence sources reveal that he meticulously worked to radicalise doctors, indoctrinating them with militant views tied to the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

The counterterrorism investigation revealed that Wagah's influence extended beyond Kashmir, reaching doctors involved in the terror module in Faridabad, Haryana. The operation led to the arrest of Wagah's wife as well, who is believed to be involved in recruiting and radicalising females within the network, connected to a doctor's wing associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed's women's faction.

Authorities uncovered alarming evidence, including messages and instructions seized from the couple's residence, which urged recruits to advance extremist objectives. Wagah was identified as the origin of posters bearing JeM insignia found in Nowgam, an indication of his fields of influence. Furthermore, investigations linked him to Dr. Muzammil Shakeel and Dr. Mohammad Umar, the latter reportedly behind the Red Fort blast. These doctors played significant roles in planning attacks while operating under the radical network nurtured by Wagah.

The police have characterized this emerging trend as "white-collar terrorism," where educated professionals like doctors are exploited to mask terrorist activities under the guise of scholarly or spiritual engagements. The multi-state terror plan aimed at destabilizing India seemed to be motivated by retaliation over the killing of JeM chief Masood Azhar's family members during Operation Sindoor in Pakistan, underscoring the gravity and cross-regional nature of the threat.

The seizure of nearly 2,900 kilograms of explosive material in Faridabad, along with arms and bomb-making paraphernalia, followed this arrest, highlighting the extensive preparedness of the terror module. Expert analysts emphasize the unprecedented nature of the radicalization of highly educated professionals and the dangers posed by this blend of academia and militancy.