‘We are Indians by heart’: Family defends arrested doctor Shakil amid terror allegations

Faridabad/Delhi – A fresh terror scare has gripped the Delhi-NCR region after police uncovered a large cache of explosives in Faridabad and linked it to Monday’s deadly blast near the Red Fort. The arrest of Kashmiri doctor Dr. Muzammil Shakil has sparked both investigation and family outrage. His mother and brother have denied all terror allegations, insisting that he is innocent.

Background: Explosives Found in Faridabad

The case began on Monday morning when the Faridabad Police recovered 360 kilograms of explosive material and ammunition from a rented house in Dhauj village. The tenant, identified as Dr. Muzammil Shakil, worked as a medical practitioner and lecturer at Al Falah University, also located in Dhauj.

According to Faridabad Police Commissioner Satender Kumar Gupta, the recovery followed intelligence inputs about a possible sleeper cell operating in the NCR. Police clarified that the material found was ammonium nitrate, not RDX as initially reported.

Further searches in Fatehpur Taga village led to the discovery of 2,563 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, intensifying fears of a larger terror network operating from the region.

Mother Appeals for Release

Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Shakil’s mother Naseema said she was unaware of her son’s activities and demanded his release. “He left home four years ago to work as a doctor in Delhi,” she said. “We had no contact during this time. We learned about his arrest from others. When we tried to meet him, police refused. Now even my other son has been detained.”

She expressed her anguish over reports linking her son to the Red Fort blast, saying, “They are calling my son a suspect in the Delhi explosion. I know nothing about it. I only want both of my sons released.”

Brother Rejects Terror Allegations

Meanwhile, Dr. Shakil’s brother spoke to PTI and dismissed the allegations outright. “He last visited us in June during our father’s surgery,” he said. “People are calling him a terrorist, but our family has no criminal background. In fifty years, no one from our family has faced a single police case.”

He added emotionally, “We are Indians by heart. We have even faced stone-pelting for supporting India. My brother was a good person. Police are not allowing us to meet him. My sister’s marriage, which he was supposed to attend, now stands cancelled.”

Who is Dr. Muzammil Shakil?

Dr. Shakil, a qualified MBBS doctor, reportedly lived alone in Dhauj for about three months before his arrest. Investigators revealed that he had also rented another house in Fatehpur Taga eight months ago.

Police believe Shakil was part of a larger terror module that may have been planning coordinated attacks across northern India. Investigations show that his name appeared with different spellings in various documents, which has further complicated the probe.

Red Fort Blast Triggers Panic in Delhi

Hours after the Faridabad recovery, Delhi witnessed chaos when a car exploded near the historic Red Fort, killing eight people and injuring twenty others. The explosion destroyed the vehicle and triggered panic in the crowded area.

Delhi Police’s Special Cell traced the car, a Hyundai i20, to Dr. Umar Un Nabi, a Pulwama-based doctor with alleged terror links. Two senior officers confirmed that Umar was likely driving the vehicle when it exploded.

Preliminary investigation suggests that Umar was part of the same terror module as Dr. Muzammil Shakil and Dr. Adil Ahmad Rather. According to officials, all three doctors maintained regular contact and exchanged encrypted messages about logistics and materials.

Growing Web of Links

Sources said Jammu and Kashmir Police had already arrested Dr. Adil Ahmad Rather last week, followed by the detention of Shakil on October 30. Investigators are now probing whether the group received funding from across the border or from sleeper agents operating in Delhi and Haryana.

Officials believe the Faridabad module could have supplied explosives for the Red Fort blast, making it one of the most serious terror cases in recent years.

Police and NIA Step In

As the probe expands, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has joined the Delhi Police in the investigation. Teams are scanning electronic evidence, including laptops and phones seized from Shakil’s residences.

Forensic experts are also analyzing the ammonium nitrate samples to determine their origin. Investigators suspect that the material may have been smuggled in small consignments to avoid detection.

Public Fear and Political Response

The twin developments — Faridabad recovery and Delhi blast — have sparked concern among residents and political circles. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged calm and praised the police for their swift action. Union Home Ministry sources confirmed that central agencies are coordinating with both Delhi and Haryana Police.

Meanwhile, in Srinagar, local leaders have demanded transparency in the investigation, fearing it may fuel tensions in the Valley.

Conclusion: A Case That Deepens With Every Hour

The arrests and recoveries have exposed a disturbing link between educated professionals and terror operations. While police continue to gather evidence, Dr. Shakil’s family insists on his innocence, portraying him as a dedicated doctor caught in a web of allegations.

The investigation now focuses on how a trained doctor from Kashmir ended up at the center of a terror probe spanning Faridabad, Delhi, and Pulwama.

As Delhi mourns the Red Fort blast victims, questions remain — who orchestrated the plot, how far does the network extend, and what was the ultimate target?

For now, security forces remain on high alert, determined to trace every link of this growing terror chain before it strikes again.