NEW DELHI: Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir intensified searches across hospitals and media offices on Thursday as part of the widening investigation into the Delhi blast, with police focusing on possible links between medical staff, extremist modules, and networks connected to fugitive operatives.The scrutiny, officials told PTI, stems from the recovery of arms, ammunition and nearly 3,000 kg of explosive material in the “white-collar” terror module that first came to light in south Kashmir earlier this month.
In Srinagar and Anantnag, police teams, accompanied by medical officers, inspected lockers used by doctors and other hospital staff in district hospitals, private facilities, medical colleges and health centres. Officers said the drive was aimed at preventing misuse of storage spaces for illegal or hazardous material and ensuring that hospital infrastructure was not being exploited for activities that could compromise security. Every rack and locker was examined, and staff were reminded that lockers must be used strictly for official purposes. Officials said these checks will now be part of routine vigilance across health institutions.The operation followed the discovery of an AK-47 rifle in the locker of Dr Adeel Rather at the Government Medical College in Anantnag earlier this month. His arrest led to the unravelling of a larger terror network involving several doctors. During Thursday’s inspection at GMC Anantnag, police and hospital administrators identified unclaimed lockers and directed that records be updated to prevent further misuse.Parallel to the hospital searches, the State Investigation Agency raided the Jammu head office of Kashmir Times and the residence of owner Prabodh Jamwal. The agency said arms, ammunition and incriminating documents were seized during the raids. According to investigators, the publication is accused of promoting anti-national activities and running content that allegedly propagated secessionist narratives. Items recovered during the search included a revolver, empty AK-series cases, live rounds, fired bullets, grenade safety levers and suspected pistol ammunition. These will undergo forensic and technical analysis as part of the ongoing inquiry.Meanwhile, the Delhi Police Special Cell identified a new link in the Red Fort car blast investigation, connecting the case to fugitive Indian Mujahideen operative Mirza Shadab Baig. Baig, wanted for the 2008 blasts in Rajasthan and Gujarat, studied at Al-Falah—an institution already under scrutiny after the “suicide bomber” involved in the Delhi attack was found to be a professor there. Multiple agencies are now examining networks tied to the university, which is facing separate cases for alleged financial irregularities and forgery, alongside searches by the Enforcement Directorate earlier this week.
