In a major counterterrorism breakthrough, security forces have arrested Irfan Ahmad Wagay, also known as Imam Irfan, an imam from South Kashmir’s Shopian district, for allegedly masterminding a white collar Islamic terrorism module linked to the Faridabad explosives case.
The arrest, carried out jointly by the Counter-Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) and Srinagar Police, followed extensive surveillance and a raid at his residence, where electronic devices and incriminating materials were seized.
Wagay, who previously worked as a paramedic at the Government Medical College in Srinagar and served as an imam at a mosque in Nowgam, is accused of radicalising medical professionals and students by exploiting his trusted position within the healthcare and religious communities. Intelligence agencies believe that he introduced extremist ideologies inspired by Pakistan-based terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH) to his students and followers.
According to investigators, Wagay showed JeM propaganda videos to medical students and maintained contact with his handlers abroad, reportedly in Afghanistan and Pakistan, through VoIP communication channels to avoid detection. He is also accused of raising funds under the guise of charity and welfare work, which were later diverted for terror logistics, including weapons procurement and IED assembly.
The arrest came after the Faridabad explosives bust, where security agencies recovered a massive cache of approximately 2,900 kilograms of explosive materials, bomb-making chemicals, wires, remote detonators, and multiple firearms, including AK-56 and Krinkov rifles. This discovery exposed a multi-state terror operation spanning J&K, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, allegedly planned as part of a coordinated strike intended to “set India ablaze” in retaliation for Operation Sindoor, which reportedly killed family members of JeM chief Masood Azhar in Pakistan.
Officials have described Wagay’s network as an example of “white collar Islamic terrorism,” a term referring to radicalisation and recruitment among educated professionals, such as doctors, students, and academics, who operate under legitimate covers to avoid suspicion. Investigations suggest that Wagay used his religious influence and professional credibility to recruit and radicalise a circle of young doctors and medical students, including Dr Muzammil Shakeel and Dr Mohammad Umar, both of whom were later arrested for their involvement in the module.
The probe also revealed that Dr Umar, reportedly panicked after the Faridabad module was exposed, carried out the blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, which killed nine people. Another key figure in the network, Dr Shaheen Sayeed, a resident of Lucknow and faculty member at Al-Falah University, has been identified as the alleged financier and Indian commander of Jaish-e-Mohammed’s women’s wing, Jamaat-ul-Mominaat.
During the raid in Nowgam, authorities also detained Wagay’s wife, who is suspected of helping recruit women into the group, and seized mobile phones containing extremist instructions and messages. Investigators are questioning a female family member and probing Wagay’s brother, who reportedly serves in the J&K Police, to determine whether he was aware of or assisted in the operation.
Posters bearing Jaish-e-Mohammed’s insignia that appeared in Nowgam’s Bunpora area on October 19, 2025, first drew the attention of intelligence agencies and eventually led to Wagay’s identification as the person behind their distribution. This discovery triggered a broader investigation that exposed the module’s links to Pakistan-based handlers and multiple operatives across India.
Authorities believe the network aimed to conduct multi-city, simultaneous terror strikes using the explosives stockpiled in Faridabad. The sophistication of the plan, coupled with the professional backgrounds of its members, indicates a shift from conventional militancy to a more covert and intellectualised form of extremism.
The arrests of Wagay, his wife, and other accomplices have thwarted what officials describe as one of the most ambitious terror plots in recent years. The accused now face multiple charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosive Substances Act, and the Arms Act, among others.
Authorities are continuing to trace the module’s financial network, encrypted communication channels, and foreign handler links. The case underscores a growing challenge for India’s security apparatus: the emergence of educated radical networks that operate within legitimate social and academic spaces, making them harder to detect.
The arrest of Irfan Ahmad Wagay not only dismantled a dangerous terror network but also exposed a disturbing trend, where individuals from respected professions are being drawn into extremist ideologies. Officials believe the case will serve as a crucial warning and a wake-up call to strengthen monitoring mechanisms in professional institutions and to counter radicalisation at its roots.
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