JeM’s Female Wing Linked to Delhi Red Fort Explosion, Claims Indian Police

Indian police have claimed links between the Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and the recent car explosion near Delhi’s historic Red Fort. According to NDTV, the vehicle used in the blast was a Hyundai i20, loaded with ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO), killing nine people.

Intelligence sources believe the attack was orchestrated by JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar, who was also held responsible for the 2019 Pulwama attack, in which 40 Indian soldiers were killed. In retaliation, the Indian Air Force carried out strikes on JeM camps in Balakot and Bahawalpur in Pakistan.

The Bahawalpur strikes killed at least ten members of Azhar’s family, including his brother-in-law Yusuf Azhar. Subsequently, Yusuf’s wife, Sadia Azhar, was given leadership of the group’s female wing, Jamat-ul-Momineen. Sadia and her sister, Samaira Azhar, later began conducting online jihadi training sessions for women.

Recent investigations have uncovered two direct links between JeM’s female wing and the Red Fort explosion. Firstly, a terrorist cell affiliated with JeM was involved in the attack. Secondly, a woman named Shaheena Shahid has been identified; an assault rifle and ammunition were recovered from her vehicle.

Shaheena Shahid, a medical professional, worked at Al-Falah Hospital in Faridabad alongside colleague Dr. Muzammil Shaikh. Both were arrested on Monday. Authorities believe Shaheena was the head of JeM’s female wing in India.

According to police, the explosion itself was carried out by another doctor, Dr. Umar Mohammed, who detonated the bomb in panic after his colleagues were arrested. Security officials suggest that deploying educated professionals in attacks may be part of JeM’s new operational strategy.