Lucknow Doctor’s Shocking Turn: From Medical Professional to Alleged Jaish Recruiter Linked to Delhi Blast

New Delhi | November 12, 2025 A quiet doctor from Lucknow, Dr. Shaheen Shahid, has found herself at the center of a major terror investigation, with links emerging to the Delhi car blast and a larger Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) network spanning across Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Officials revealed that Dr. Shahid, who once worked at Al Falah University in Faridabad, was among eight people arrested as part of a multi-state operation that led to the discovery of nearly 2,900 kilograms of explosives. Shockingly, three of those arrested are doctors, suggesting the terror outfit’s growing reach among educated professionals. According to investigators, Dr. Shahid allegedly became connected to Jaish-e-Mohammed’s women’s recruitment wing known as Jamaat-ul-Mominaat, a recently formed arm of the banned Pakistan-based terror group. Sources claim she was possibly tasked with recruiting Indian women for extremist activities and maintained contact with a handler in Pakistan. Authorities believe her involvement began after a difficult personal period. Dr. Shahid, who completed her medical education in Prayagraj (Allahabad), married Zafar Hayat, a man from Maharashtra. The marriage ended in divorce in 2015, after which she reportedly began living alone and teaching in Faridabad. Investigators suspect this was when she may have been indoctrinated and drawn into extremist ideology. Her arrest followed a coordinated crackdown that linked several suspects, including Dr. Muzammil and Umar, both previously tied to the Delhi car explosion near the Red Fort. The operation exposed what officials describe as a “network of radicalized professionals” operating under the guise of normalcy, quietly coordinating activities across multiple states. Back home in Lucknow, her family expressed complete disbelief. Her father, Syed Ahmad Ansari, said he only learned about his daughter’s arrest through the media. “I am shocked to hear of her alleged involvement,” he told reporters. “I last spoke to her about a month ago. She never mentioned any of these people or activities. I cannot believe this is true.” He added that his daughter had always been a bright student and a responsible professional, with no known connection to extremist circles. Her family has urged authorities to conduct a fair investigation. The case has also sparked concern in intelligence circles about the emergence of women-led radical cells in India. Officials say the Jamaat-ul-Mominaat appears to be an attempt by JeM to expand recruitment beyond its traditional base, using digital platforms and personal outreach to influence women professionals and students. As investigations continue, police are sifting through Shahid’s digital records, university links, and communication logs to trace how far the alleged network extends. The findings, officials say, could reshape how India approaches the threat of homegrown radicalization, especially among educated citizens. Authorities have assured that every lead is being pursued to uncover the full scope of this disturbing development — one that blurs the line between the classroom and the world of covert extremism. Lucknow Doctor’s Shocking Turn: From Medical Professional to Alleged Jaish Recruiter Linked to Delhi Blast A shocking revelation has surfaced as Dr. Shaheen Shahid, a Lucknow-based doctor, was arrested in connection with an inter-state terror module spanning Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Investigators believe she was involved with the banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed’s women’s recruitment wing, Jamaat-ul-Mominaat, and may have been in contact with a Pakistan-based handler. Dr. Shahid, who once worked at Al Falah University in Faridabad, is also linked to the recent Delhi car blast case. Officials revealed that 2,900 kg of explosives were seized during the multi-state operation, which led to eight arrests — including three doctors. Authorities suspect she was indoctrinated after her 2015 divorce, possibly during her time living alone and teaching in Haryana. Her father, Syed Ahmad Ansari, expressed deep shock over her arrest, claiming he was unaware of her alleged activities and only learned of the case through media reports. The investigation has now shifted focus to uncover how educated individuals like Dr. Shahid are being radicalized and recruited into extremist groups.