Room 13 in building 17 at Al-Falah University emerges as nerve centre of Red Fort blast conspiracy

What appeared to be an ordinary hostel room on the campus of Al-Falah University in Faridabad has turned out to be a crucial link in the investigation into the November 10 Red Fort blast that claimed 13 lives.

Investigating agencies say Room Number 13 in Building 17, a section of the boys’ hostel, functioned as a planning and coordination base for a group of radicalised doctors who allegedly conspired to carry out multiple explosions in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

The probe has revealed that the plot was hatched by a Jaish-e-Mohammad-linked module, with several members employed at Al-Falah University and Hospital. The campus, located about 45 kilometres from Delhi, has since become the epicentre of a large-scale anti-terror operation.

Doctors Turned Suspects

Among those under investigation is Dr Umar Mohammad, confirmed through DNA analysis as the man who detonated the Hyundai i20 near the Red Fort Metro Station. His remains were identified after forensic samples matched those of his family in Pulwama.

Umar was part of a network of four doctors — Dr Muzammil Shakeel, Dr Adeel Rather, and Dr Shaheen Saeed — who, investigators say, used their professional positions to acquire chemicals and resources for bomb-making.

A day before the blast, 2,900 kilograms of explosive material was seized from a rented property linked to Dr Muzammil, also an employee at the university.

Dr Shaheen, believed to be working on setting up a women’s wing for the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad in India, was arrested alongside him. Another Kashmir-based doctor, Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan, who worked at the same institution, has gone missing.

How the Plot Was Hatched

Officials say the conspirators used Room 13, allotted to Dr Muzammil, for regular meetings where they discussed logistics and tested explosive materials. Interrogations have revealed that the blasts were being planned to coincide with the December 6 Babri Masjid demolition anniversary.

Investigators suspect that the group smuggled chemicals from the university’s laboratory, located only a few metres from Muzammil’s room.

Forensic teams have recovered chemical residues, glassware, and digital storage devices, suggesting small-scale explosive experiments were conducted there. Preliminary findings indicate the use of Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO) in the Red Fort explosion.

During the raids, agencies also recovered two AK-47 rifles, 350 kilograms of explosives, and several pen drives containing coded communication. Two diaries filled with encrypted notes and repeated references to the word “operation” were found in Muzammil’s room, now sealed by police.

Trail Leads to Faridabad and Beyond

Sources said Dr Umar and Dr Shaheen helped move chemicals from the university’s lab to rented houses in Dhauj and Taga villages, where bomb materials were assembled. These areas, located in the Faridabad district, were used to store large quantities of ammonium nitrate and metallic oxides.

In total, over 2,000 kilograms of explosive substances, including 350 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, were recovered from Faridabad. Seven suspects — mostly students or employees of Al-Falah University — have been taken into custody so far.

University Denies Involvement

The Al-Falah University administration, breaking its silence two days after the module was busted, denied any institutional complicity. It asserted that no unauthorised materials were ever stored or used in its laboratories and that it had “no connection” with the accused individuals.

Established in 2014 and recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) the following year, Al-Falah University operates across a 70-acre campus, housing the Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, which includes a 650-bed charitable hospital.

Focus on “White-Collar” Terror Module

Officials describe Building 17, Room 13 as the “command post” of the group, a place where plans were refined and digital blueprints created. The Delhi Police and central agencies are continuing forensic analysis of the seized materials, convinced that the plot extended beyond Delhi, with plans for coordinated blasts at multiple sites across northern India.

According to investigators, the discovery of the Al-Falah module marks one of the most significant breakthroughs in recent years against homegrown radical networks operating under the guise of academic and medical professions.