Faridabad: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has so far interrogated 46 staff members — including 30 doctors — from Al-Falah University in connection with the November 10 Red Fort car blast case, officials told The Indian Express. The sweeping probe continues to expand beyond the university as investigators examine potential links across multiple private hospitals in Delhi.
Ward Boy Arrested for Alleged Logistical Support
On Wednesday, the NIA arrested a ward boy at Al-Falah University for allegedly providing logistical support to the doctor-turned-suicide bomber responsible for the attack. Investigators are also looking into doctors associated with the accused individuals who were part of an emerging terror module.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police recently recovered the main accused doctor’s mobile phone from a drain in Pulwama. The device reportedly revealed names of individuals at the university with whom he had frequent contact.
Investigators Expand Probe to Multiple Hospitals
Officials said that university staff were summoned based on communication records.
“We are trying to understand the nature of their interactions with him and get a clearer picture of his conduct,” an official told The Indian Express.
Sources added that investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from the Al-Falah campus. The questioning of staff is expected to continue in the coming weeks.
Doctors Condemn Locker-Search Raids as ‘Humiliating’
Meanwhile, doctors across Kashmir have voiced strong objections to extensive police raids and inspections of doctors’ lockers, calling them demeaning and harmful to the profession’s dignity.
The reaction comes after investigators announced that every doctor’s locker in hospitals would be thoroughly searched for any potential links to the blast. A rifle had been recovered earlier from a locker allotted to one of the accused at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag.
An officer confirmed that searches across the Valley are nearing completion but warned that surprise inspections may continue.
Concerns Over ‘Public Spectacle’ of Searches
A senior officer in Srinagar expressed concern over the manner of the raids:
“Doctors are the cream of society. Humiliating them sends a wrong message and breeds animosity. Painting the entire community as suspects could damage careers, especially of those posted outside Kashmir.”
Doctors say the raids, often conducted in the presence of cameras, risk portraying the entire medical community as militants.
“If inspections were necessary, they could have been done discreetly,” a senior Srinagar doctor said.
Hospital Authorities Cooperating Fully
Dr Abdul Gani Dar, Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Pulwama, clarified that the hospital itself invited police to inspect older lockers:
“We broke open unused lockers; nothing adverse was found — only aprons and medicines.”
A senior Health Department official explained that lockers, or “pigeon-holes,” are standard storage spaces for doctors’ books, equipment, and personal belongings.
Health Minister Calls for Proper SOP
Expressing regret over the “targeting of the entire fraternity”, Jammu & Kashmir Health Minister Sakeena Itoo said she would instruct the Health Secretary to sensitize investigative agencies and ensure adherence to formal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) during such checks.
The probe continues as authorities attempt to unravel the network behind the Red Fort blast while balancing security interests with professional dignity concerns raised by the medical community.
