Al Falah University had long-standing terror links; 2008 Indian Mujahideen bomber was former student: Reports

Faridabad: Investigators probing the recently busted “white-collar terror module” and the car blast near the Red Fort have found that Al Falah University had long-standing links with terror operatives, PTI reported, citing sources on Friday.

According to sources, fugitive Indian Mujahideen bomber Mirza Shadab Baig, wanted in a series of 2008 blasts, studied at the Faridabad-based university. Baig, a key IM operative accused in the Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Gorakhpur blasts, completed his B.Tech in electronics and instrumentation in 2007, they said.

Baig later disappeared after travelling on his genuine passport and has been missing since September 19, 2008, the day the Batla House encounter took place in Delhi, the sources added. Agencies believe he has been living in Saudi Arabia and was last tracked to Afghanistan in 2019.

Sources said a team of Punjab Police recently visited the campus, questioning staff and students regarding a 45-year-old doctor detained from Pathankot. The doctor had taught at a medical college in Pathankot for three years and previously worked at Al Falah University for four years, they said.

The doctor remained in touch with several former classmates from the university, sources said. The Punjab Police team also gathered information about his links with Dr Umar-un-Nabi, who was driving the explosives-laden i20 that exploded outside the Red Fort, and other accused persons.

On Thursday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took custody of three doctors and a preacher arrested in connection with the November 10 car blast outside the Red Fort, which left 15 people dead. Those held earlier by Jammu and Kashmir Police — Muzammil Ganaie, Adeel Rather, Shaheena Saeed, and Maulvi Irfan Ahmed Wagay, are now in NIA custody. The number of people booked in the “white-collar” terror plot stands at six.

2008 Delhi bombings

The 13 September 2008 Delhi bombings were a series of five coordinated explosions carried out within minutes across crowded marketplaces and commercial areas in the national capital. The first blast occurred at 6:07 pm (IST), and four more followed in rapid succession over the next 31 minutes, between 6:07 pm and 6:38 pm.

At least 20 people were killed and over 90 injured in the attacks. Authorities later said that four additional bombs were found and successfully defused, preventing further casualties.