Once a respected medical lecturer from Lucknow, Dr Shaheen Shahid now stands accused of heading the Indian wing of Jaish-e-Mohammed’s women’s outfit. Her arrest has shocked both academic and security circles, exposing how educated professionals allegedly operated as part of a “white-collar” terror module spanning Faridabad, Lucknow, and Kashmir.
From Lecturer to Chief of JeM’s Women Wing
- Dr. Shaheen was chosen by Sadia Azhar, sister of JeM chief Masood Azhar, to lead Jamaat-ul-Momineen, the group’s women’s wing in India.
- She stayed in touch with JeM handlers across the border through encrypted social media channels.
- Investigators say she recruited educated women to spread extremist ideas and manage logistics.
- Her medical background and professional reputation helped her stay under the radar while handling finances and movements.
- She left her government medical job in 2013 and reappeared years later in Faridabad after reportedly being radicalised.
- Sources claim she used her university and hospital contacts to identify and approach possible sympathisers.
Faridabad Cell and Growing Network
- The arrest followed the detention of two other doctors – Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganai and Dr Umar U Nabi linked to a terror module in Faridabad.
- The network came to light after the Red Fort car blast probe, which revealed inter-state coordination among educated operatives.
- During raids, the ATS and J&K Police recovered explosives, rifles, and electronic devices from locations connected to the group.
- Dr Shaheen’s car, reportedly used by Dr Muzammil, contained a rifle and live cartridges, confirming her active role in logistics.
- Raids at her Lucknow residence led to the seizure of phones, hard disks, and documents crucial to the investigation.
- Her brother, Dr Parvez Ansari, has been detained for questioning to verify any additional links or financial transfers.
- The arrest came after two other doctors, Dr. Muzammil Ahmad Ganai and Dr. Umar U Nabi, were detained for links to a terror module in Faridabad.
- The network was exposed during the Red Fort car blast investigation, which showed coordination among educated operatives across states.
- The ATS and J&K Police found explosives, rifles, and electronic gadgets during raids at related locations.
- A rifle and live cartridges were found in Dr. Shaheen’s car, reportedly used by Dr. Muzammil, proving her role in logistics.
- Raids at her Lucknow home led to the recovery of phones, hard drives, and important documents.
- Her brother, Dr. Parvez Ansari, was detained for questioning about possible links or money transfers.
- The NIA is now handling the investigation and tracking her contacts in Lucknow, Kanpur, and Faridabad to find more supporters.
Dr. Shaheen Shahid’s arrest highlights a worrying trend in terror recruitment, where extremist groups use educated and respected individuals to conceal their activities. Her shift from medical academia to alleged militancy shows the rising danger of radicalisation among educated professionals in India.
