The Jammu and Kashmir police in a joint operation with the Haryana police recovered approximately 2,900kg of ammonium nitrate and other explosives from two rented rooms in two different places. Both the rooms were rented by a single person named Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie.
One of the rooms, located in Dhauj village near Al-Falah University, contained about 358kg of explosives that were moved in over three days after being rented out a month ago. The second site, situated 4km away in Fatehpur Taga, held a larger consignment of 2,600kg brought in across three to four batches.
According to police sources, the explosives were moved so discreetly that residents nearby remained unaware. The quiet neighbourhoods of Dhauj and Fatehpur Taga were thrown into shock when teams from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, aided by Haryana Police, raided the two locations and broke open the locks.
Both properties were rented by Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie, a doctor teaching MBBS students at Al-Falah University for the past three years. The Dhauj property, located a kilometre from the university, is a two-storey building with shops on the ground floor and rooms above, mostly occupied by families of daily wagers.
Although Dr Muzammil lived in the university’s residential enclave, he never stayed in the rented Dhauj room. Police said that just three days after taking the room, he arranged for a 358kg consignment of explosives to be delivered in a single trip using a minivan. Neighbours who helped him carry the bags said they had no idea what was inside.
“We are all shocked that he was involved in anti-national activities and had stored explosives in our neighbourhood. He seemed to be an innocent person,” said Raja Hussain, a neighbour told TOI.
Mohamdi, a 70-year-old tenant in the same building, told TOI, “We never saw the doctor as he used to come late in the evening and return after keeping his stuff inside. Even maulvi sahab is a decent person and was always helpful. Now we are scared to stay here.”
Residents of the area said they never noticed vehicles unloading large sacks or suspicious movements. “We got to know only after seeing his picture in newspapers. It is frightening to realise explosives were stored so close to our homes,” said a woman from the neighbourhood.
Despite owning the house, Istaq continued living at the mosque to perform his daily prayers, leasing out the property for additional income, according to a college professor.
Yashpal, spokesperson for Faridabad Police, said, “The explosives were immediately recovered from the two rooms after inputs were shared by J&K Police. Agencies are still investigating the source of these explosives and how and when they were moved into the properties.”
(With inputs from TOI)
One of the rooms, located in Dhauj village near Al-Falah University, contained about 358kg of explosives that were moved in over three days after being rented out a month ago. The second site, situated 4km away in Fatehpur Taga, held a larger consignment of 2,600kg brought in across three to four batches.
According to police sources, the explosives were moved so discreetly that residents nearby remained unaware. The quiet neighbourhoods of Dhauj and Fatehpur Taga were thrown into shock when teams from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, aided by Haryana Police, raided the two locations and broke open the locks.
Both properties were rented by Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie, a doctor teaching MBBS students at Al-Falah University for the past three years. The Dhauj property, located a kilometre from the university, is a two-storey building with shops on the ground floor and rooms above, mostly occupied by families of daily wagers.
Although Dr Muzammil lived in the university’s residential enclave, he never stayed in the rented Dhauj room. Police said that just three days after taking the room, he arranged for a 358kg consignment of explosives to be delivered in a single trip using a minivan. Neighbours who helped him carry the bags said they had no idea what was inside.
“We are all shocked that he was involved in anti-national activities and had stored explosives in our neighbourhood. He seemed to be an innocent person,” said Raja Hussain, a neighbour told TOI.
Second stash found at cleric’s house in Fatehpur Taga
The second cache of explosives was found in a single-storey house owned by Mohd Istaq, a cleric at the university mosque since 2006. Istaq had constructed the house on a 60-yard plot purchased three years ago and had rented one room to Dr Muzammil. Located deep inside the village and surrounded by fields, the property provided natural cover and had limited access through a narrow, waterlogged lane.Mohamdi, a 70-year-old tenant in the same building, told TOI, “We never saw the doctor as he used to come late in the evening and return after keeping his stuff inside. Even maulvi sahab is a decent person and was always helpful. Now we are scared to stay here.”
Residents of the area said they never noticed vehicles unloading large sacks or suspicious movements. “We got to know only after seeing his picture in newspapers. It is frightening to realise explosives were stored so close to our homes,” said a woman from the neighbourhood.
Despite owning the house, Istaq continued living at the mosque to perform his daily prayers, leasing out the property for additional income, according to a college professor.
Investigation into source and purpose continues
Multiple agencies conducted searches around Al-Falah University on Tuesday as the investigation widened. The source, movement, and intended use of the explosives remain under scrutiny.Yashpal, spokesperson for Faridabad Police, said, “The explosives were immediately recovered from the two rooms after inputs were shared by J&K Police. Agencies are still investigating the source of these explosives and how and when they were moved into the properties.”
(With inputs from TOI)
