In Pulwama’s ‘village of doctors’, shock over terror probe, ‘Doctor Doom’ headlines

As news channels camp outside Pulwama’s Koil village, locals struggle to reconcile the picture being painted – of medical professionals turned “white collar terrorists” – with what they say they know of their own.

Two doctors from the village are among those allegedly linked to a suspected terror module behind the November 10 car bombing near Delhi’s Red Fort. While Dr Umar Nabi is believed to be absconding and being inside the car that exploded, Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganie is among those who are already in custody. The number of arrests has risen to 15, including at least four Kashmiri doctors so far.

“The network runs deep and is under active investigation. We are verifying how long Dr Nabi had been employed in Faridabad and the extent of his involvement with the others,” Faridabad assistant police commissioner (crime) Varun Dahiya earlier told the media.

Speaking to Newslaundry, former J&K DGP, Dr S P Vaid, said that the evolving militant network is deeply concerning. This needs sharper intelligence and a proactive security response. “This is a very serious concern for the security apparatus. Fortunately, a major tragedy has been averted. It appears that Pakistan’s ISI has deep roots in Kashmir. Doctors are often regarded as saviors after God, but now some of them are involved in militant activities. This is an extremely dangerous situation.”

But in Koil, there was shock as television reporters flooded the area while channels ran tickers such as “Doctor Doom”. Several locals claimed Koil is known as a “village of doctors” as many from the area are in the medical profession. Some described Umar as apolitical, focused on his studies, and someone who always kept a distance from protests and social media. 

‘He can never kill’

In Umar’s two-storey family home, his sister-in-law Muzamila sat quietly as neighbours offered support. She said Jammu and Kashmir Police detained all immediate family members, Umar’s parents and two siblings, for questioning and DNA collection. Electronic devices, including laptops and phones, were seized.

Describing Umar as “a shy, bookish person,” she said he topped his batch in medicine. “People would envy his manners and pray to have a son as decent as Umar. He would always check on us. The last time he spoke to me was four days ago. I asked him when he would return home. He said he was busy with exams and would come home once they were over.”

He got his MBBS degree from Government Medical College, Srinagar, in 2015–16, worked at GMC Anantnag, and later moved to Al-Falah College, Faridabad.

“We were not financially sound. Umar became the only breadwinner. We faced a lot of difficulties but he was our saviour,” said Muzamila, adding that her father-in-law, a government teacher, left his job due to mental health issues. “We cannot believe he can do something like this.”

Umar was engaged, with his wedding planned for next year. “The one who has always been helpful to others can never kill fellow humans,” Muzamila added.

‘He never discussed politics’

About 400 metres away is Muzammil Shakeel Ganie’s home. 

Muzammil’s sister Asmat is also a doctor and was to be married on November 10 — the day of the Delhi blast. “My dreams are shattered. It is for the first time in our lifetime that police personnel paid a visit to our home,” she said. She claimed one of her brothers was taken into custody during a midnight raid and all electronic devices at the home were seized.

“Police raided our home at midnight and detained one of my brothers. They took all our electronic devices,” she said. “I fail to understand what is going on. Nothing makes sense. I am not sleeping or eating. It is a shock for all of us.”

According to the family, the last call with Muzammil was on October 29. A day later, J&K Police raided their home asking for his whereabouts. He was arrested on October 30. Investigators have accused him of stockpiling over 2,900 kilograms of ammonium nitrate and other bomb-making materials in two rented rooms in Dhauj and Fatehpur Taga villages on the outskirts of Faridabad.

The 32-year-old had completed his MBBS from Jammu’s Batra Medical College, followed by a stint at Srinagar’s Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS). He later moved to Delhi for further studies in emergency medicine. 

His younger brother Azad Shakeel, who is preparing for NEET, said he never heard his brother discuss anything political and that he is “shocked by the media”. The investigators must conduct a “fair” and “thorough” probe, he said. “His primary interest was studies. He would also force us to study hard. During video calls, he would often scold me and seek an assurance that I would study as per schedule.”

Azad said he didn’t know the other accused. Some channels are showing his mother’s photo as Umar Nabi’s mother, he said. “TV media is spreading canards,” he claimed.

Meanwhile, in Pulwama’s Sombura village, police have detained three men, including two brothers, in connection with the car allegedly used in the Delhi blast. The vehicle had changed hands several times before being bought by Amir Rashid, a plumber. His mother, Farida, claimed Amir does not have a four-wheeler license and has never travelled outside Kashmir. 

“When we saw Amir’s picture on TV with the car, we were shell-shocked. Both my sons were taken by police. Their phones were seized,” she said.

Another youth, Tariq, was also detained. His family claimed he cannot drive and that TV channels are showing Amir’s photo but wrongly identifying him as Tariq, causing confusion. “We thought the neighbours had come to invite us for a wedding, but it was the police instead,” said Tariq’s father.

Calls to Inspector General of Police V K Birdhi remained unanswered.

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