Red Fort Blast Probe: How Dr Shaheen Built a White-Collar Terror Nexus; Dr Arif Detained in Kanpur

The investigation into the Red Fort blast has now expanded into a multi-layered counterterror probe centred on a medical professional who authorities say constructed a sophisticated white-collar terror network. Dr Shaheen Shaheed — once celebrated as a high-achieving doctor from Uttar Pradesh — has now emerged as the principal architect of a covert nexus linking educated professionals, university students and operatives across multiple states.

National agencies, including the NIA and Uttar Pradesh ATS, are mapping how Dr Shaheen allegedly shifted from academia to extremism, quietly recruiting students, colleagues and other trained professionals into a widening network. Investigators describe her as the “core builder” of the module, someone who used credibility, education and institutional access to mask underground operations.

Detention of Dr Mohammad Arif Deepens Probe

In a fresh development, agencies have detained Dr Mohammad Arif from Kanpur, a medical professional believed to have been drawn into the nexus through Shaheen’s outreach. His digital footprint, academic associations and travel patterns are now under scrutiny to determine whether he played a supportive or operational role.

Sources say his name surfaced through communication intercepts linking him to Faridabad-based suspects and encrypted discussions about logistics linked to the Delhi blast.

A White-Collar Network Hidden in Plain Sight

Investigators say what makes this module different is its reliance on individuals with strong academic credentials — doctors, researchers, postgraduate students and university-linked facilitators. This allowed the group to:

• Maintain clean public profiles

• Travel without raising suspicion

• Borrow institutional legitimacy

• Access chemicals, labs and secure environments

• Recruit vulnerable or impressionable students

Police officials describe Shaheen as the “linking node,” someone who allegedly facilitated introductions between Kashmiri extremist circles and North Indian recruits under the guise of academic mentorship or professional collaboration.

Shaheen’s Brother Under Scanner, Kashmir Trips Probed

Agencies are also examining her brother’s activities to determine whether he assisted or unknowingly facilitated operations. Meanwhile, her frequent travel to Jammu and Kashmir over the last decade — previously passed off as academic, personal or professional — is now being re-evaluated through a counterterror lens.

The investigation is focusing on whether these visits involved coordination meetings, training exchanges or recruitment conversations with handlers associated with Pakistan-backed groups.

Agencies Work to Untangle a Network Spanning States

With new detentions, seized devices and cross-state interrogations, the Red Fort blast probe has become one of India’s most complex terror investigations in recent years. What began as a car explosion case has now exposed a shadow network functioning under the cover of respected professions — a reminder of how extremist organisations adapt their strategies to avoid detection while embedding themselves within legitimate institutions.