The doctors arrested in the recently busted “white-collar” terror module were radicalised after 2016 and formed a group called “Ansar Interim” to carry out subversive activities across Jammu & Kashmir and in the hinterlands, officials said on Sunday.
The case, now under investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), reveals that Dr Umer-un-Nabi—who drove an explosive-laden car outside Delhi’s Red Fort in November 2025, killing over a dozen people—had attempted to join terror ranks in 2016 and 2018.
Investigators found that the accused doctors — MuzamilGannie, Umer-un-Nabi (now deceased), Adeel Rather, and his absconding brother Muzzafar Rather — along with Maulvi Irfan, Qari Aamir, and TufailGazi, met at Eidgah in downtown Srinagar in April 2022.
During the meeting, they decided to form “Ansar Interim”, naming Adeel Rather as Ameer (chief), Maulvi Irfan as Deputy Ameer, and Gannie as treasurer.
Officials noted that “Ansar” is commonly associated with the globally banned Al-Qaeda network among militant groups.
The accused told investigators they formed a new outfit after losing contact with active terrorists.
In 2023, the group began procuring chemicals — including Potassium Nitrate — from Sohna, Nuh (Haryana), and a shop in Faridabad.
Umer reportedly watched online videos to learn how to assemble Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
Adeel later expanded the network by recruiting Danish alias Jasir from South Kashmir to strengthen their foothold before launching attacks.
Umer, a 28-year-old doctor from Pulwama, is believed to have been the most radicalised member, with links spanning Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Srinagar police, after reviewing CCTV footage, arrested three locals—Arif Nisar Dar, alias Sahil; Yasir-ul-Ashraf; and Maqsood Ahmad Dar, alias Shahid—all with prior stone-pelting cases.
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