A Lucknow-based physician, Dr. Shaheena Shahid, has emerged as a key figure in the investigation into a deadly car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort metro station on November 10, 2025, which claimed at least eight lives and injured over 20 others. Authorities allege she played a pivotal role in expanding the influence of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) within India by leading efforts to establish its women's division.
Dr. Shahid, a resident of Lucknow's Lal Bagh area, was initially detained in connection with a major explosives recovery in Faridabad, Haryana, just days before the blast. She was arrested after JeM's terror module in Faridabad was busted, and an assault rifle was recovered from her car. Intelligence reports indicate she oversaw the Indian operations of Jamaat-ul-Momineen, JeM's dedicated women's arm, focusing on recruitment and ideological outreach. This unit answers to a command structure in Pakistan headed by Sadia Azhar, the sibling of JeM founder Masood Azhar. Sadia's spouse, Yusuf Azhar, remains a wanted figure for his involvement in the 1999 Indian Airlines hijacking to Kandahar.
According to initial probe, Shaheen is reportedly part of Al-Falah University and closely associated with Kashmiri doctor Muzammil Ganaie, alias Musaib, who was arrested after 2,900 kg of explosives and inflammable material were recovered from his two rented rooms in Faridabad. Multiple raids have been carried out at the University, following which, an unspecified number of doctors have been detained for questioning. Their details have been withheld for the sake of sensitivity of the case. Incidentally, the man - Dr. Umar Mohammed (alias Umar Nabi), one who is suspected to be on the driver seat of the i20 vehicle when it exploded near Red Fort - was an Assistant Professor / Senior Resident Doctor at the same Al-Falah University. Dr Shahid, had reportedly maintained communication with purported terror groups via apps like Telegram.
The explosion, which authorities are probing as a terrorist incident under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosives Act, has prompted a nationwide security ramp-up. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has assumed control of the case, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowing that perpetrators "will not be spared." The blast site, a bustling zone adjacent to the historic Red Fort, saw a vehicle detonate in the evening, sparking fires and chaos.
In response, security forces have ramped up digital monitoring, scrutinising social media activity and encrypted communications for traces of the network. Forensic teams are sifting through mobile tower data from the Red Fort vicinity, including parking zones, to map out interactions among suspects and pinpoint any ties to the explosive-laden car. Similar data sweeps are targeting Faridabad to uncover coordination patterns within the suspected module.
Officials believe her arrest has disrupted a "white-collar" terror cell involving medical professionals, underscoring the group's evolving tactics in India. Investigations reveal that a car that was used to store an assault rifle, a pistol, and ammunition belonged to Shaheen Shahid. It was a Maruti Suzuki Swift, which has a licence plate with Faridabad's code HR 51, was searched after cops questioned Muzammil. The vehicle details was revealed, reportedly by Muzammil.
