'White-Collar' Terror Probe Reveals Doctor Made Terror Outfit 'Ansar Interim' For Attacks In J&K

Last Updated:February 15, 2026, 14:39 IST

The 'White-Collar' terror network came to light following the appearance of Jaish-e-Mohammed posters in Bunpora, Nowgam, on the outskirts of Srinagar on October 19.

A probe into the recently dismantled “white-collar" terror module by Jammu and Kashmir Police has revealed that a group of doctors and radical preachers floated a new terror outfit named ‘Ansar Interim’ to carry out subversive activities in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Sunday.

The case, now taken over by the National Investigation Agency, has uncovered that Dr Umer-un Nabi, who later died in an explosion involving an explosive-laden vehicle outside the Red Fort on November 10, had made multiple failed attempts to join active terror groups in 2016 and 2018.

According to officials, evidence gathered so far shows that the accused, doctors Muzamil Gannie, Umer-un Nabi (now deceased) and Adeel Rather, along with Adeel’s brother Muzzafar Rather (absconding), Maulvi Irfan, Qari Aamir and Tufail Gazi, met at Eidgah in downtown Srinagar in April 2022.

During the meeting, they decided to form Ansar Interim, with Adeel Rather designated as the group’s Ameer (chief), Maulvi Irfan as Deputy Ameer, and Gannie tasked with managing finances.

Officials said the name “Ansar" is commonly associated with Al-Qaeda-linked nomenclature.

During questioning, the arrested accused told investigators that the decision to create a new outfit was taken after their links with existing terror groups were severed.

Roles, communication protocols and operational methods were finalised at the meeting.

Umer-un Nabi allegedly took on the role of coordinator and, along with Gannie, handled procurement and funding.

In 2023, the group sourced fertilisers from Haryana’s Sohna and Nuh areas, while NPK chemicals were procured from a shop in Faridabad on Umer’s instructions.

Investigators said Umer began learning basic improvised explosive device (IED) fabrication by watching online videos and succeeded in preparing triacetone triperoxide (TATP), a highly volatile explosive frequently used in terror attacks.

Officials added that Adeel had begun recruiting new members and brought in Danish alias Jasir from south Kashmir.

Danish was allegedly taken to a rented accommodation near Al-Falah University in Faridabad, where he witnessed Umer and Gannie preparing explosive material. Umer later attempted to persuade Danish to carry out a suicide attack, but he backed out, citing financial hardship and religious reasons.

Officials believe Umer, a 28-year-old doctor from Pulwama, was the most radicalised member and a key operative linking Kashmir, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

He is suspected to have been planning a major vehicle-borne IED attack at a crowded location, possibly in the national capital or at a religious site, with plans to flee afterwards.

The plot is believed to have unravelled after Srinagar Police arrested Gannie and seized explosives, triggering panic within the module.

Officials said this may have led to the premature blast near the Red Fort.

The inter-state terror network came to light following the appearance of Jaish-e-Mohammed posters in Bunpora, Nowgam, on the outskirts of Srinagar on October 19.

A case was registered and CCTV footage reviewed, leading to the arrest of three local youths with prior stone-pelting records.

Their interrogation resulted in the arrest of Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, a former paramedic-turned-imam from Shopian, who allegedly supplied the posters and played a key role in radicalising the doctors.

News india 'White-Collar' Terror Probe Reveals Doctor Made Terror Outfit 'Ansar Interim' For Attacks In J&K

Read More