Red Fort Blast: UP Woman Doctor Shaheen Sayeed Arrested, Tasked with Setting Up Jaish’s Women Wing

A woman doctor from Uttar Pradesh has become a central figure in a terror investigation linked to a recent car explosion near Delhi's Red. The blast, which occurred on Monday evening, resulted in the deaths of at least 12 people and injured 20 others. Authorities suspect a connection between this incident and an interstate terror module operating across Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Dr Shaheen Sayeed, affiliated with Al Falah University in Faridabad, is allegedly involved in establishing a women's recruitment division for the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in India. This division, named Jamaat-ul-Mominat, aimed to draw educated women and professionals into the group's network. Investigators have arrested eight individuals, including three doctors, as part of this probe.

Red Fort Blast Investigation

The explosion's nature suggests a well-coordinated operation involving JeM and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind operatives. "This was a white-collar terror setup — with doctors and educated youth being radicalised for logistical and operational roles," an intelligence officer told PTI. The authorities are closely examining the role of these groups in organising such a network.

Preliminary findings indicate that Dr Umar Nabi from Lethpora in Pulwama district drove the Hyundai i20 that exploded near Red Fort. Nabi, also linked to Al Falah University, is believed to have died in the blast. Officials suspect he carried out the explosion after learning about his associates' detentions.

Ongoing Investigations

The Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha confirmed that multiple agencies, including the NIA and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), are investigating the incident. The Home Minister has been regularly briefed on developments. DNA samples from Umar's mother have been taken by Jammu and Kashmir Police to match with remains found at the blast site.

Authorities have detained at least four more individuals for questioning as teams from Delhi Police, NIA, and intelligence agencies continue their investigations across Delhi, Kashmir, and Haryana. CCTV footage from around Red Fort and Laal Qila Metro station is being analysed to gather more evidence.

Security Measures

Following the explosion, Delhi has been placed on high alert with intensified vehicle checks at all entry points and key transit hubs. The Red Fort Metro station has been closed temporarily, and traffic diversions have been implemented around the area to ensure public safety.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosives Act concerning conspiracy and execution of this terror attack. Among those killed were residents from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh.

Police sources revealed that ammonium nitrate, fuel oil, and detonators were found in the vehicle used for the attack. A suicide attack has not been ruled out as part of their ongoing investigation into this tragic event.