What Code Words Did Doctors-turned-Terrorists Use on Telegram?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Doctors involved in a terror module used food code words.
- Their communications were conducted via encrypted Telegram chats.
- Radicalization reportedly initiated through a meeting with an Imam.
- Al Falah University is under scrutiny due to the involvement of its employees.
- Medical licenses of the accused have been revoked legally.
New Delhi, Nov 17 (NationPress) A recently uncovered “white collar” terror module in Faridabad utilized Telegram and a peculiar set of food-related code words to disguise their operations, according to an NDTV report citing sources.
As per the findings, the four physicians—whose medical licenses have been revoked—employed the names of common dishes as a secret language for discussing explosives and potential terror activities.
In their encrypted conversations, the term “biryani” referred to explosive substances, while “daawat” indicated a forthcoming attack. Investigators disclosed that once an IED was assembled, they would communicate with the message: “Biryani is ready, get ready for daawat.”
The group included Muzamil Shakeel, Dr. Umar Muhammad Nabi, Shaheen Saeed, and Adeel Ahmad Rather. Their alleged radicalization process began with Imam Irfan Ahmad from Shopian, identified as the ringleader.
Ahmad reportedly met Dr. Umar Muhammad Nabi in 2020 at a Srinagar hospital while seeking medical care for his child. This initial meeting led to further interactions, ultimately believed to have contributed to Dr. Umar’s radicalization.
Once confident in Dr. Umar’s allegiance, Ahmad tasked him with recruiting others displaying “potential.” Subsequently, the group was introduced to Jaish-e-Muhammad members in southern Kashmir, from whom they received two AK-series rifles—one of which has been retrieved from Saeed’s vehicle.
Saeed has informed investigators that she met the others approximately six months prior to the Red Fort explosion and claims to have been unaware of their true intentions.
Their names have been removed from both the Indian Medical Register and the National Medical Register, effectively prohibiting them from practicing medicine in India.
Meanwhile, the NIA has apprehended another suspect, Aamir Rashid Ali, in Delhi. Ali is accused of acquiring the Hyundai i20 utilized as the car bomb and aiding Dr. Umar in assembling the IED.
Al Falah University in Faridabad, where all the accused were employed, is now under extensive investigation covering various aspects from finance to administration.
A vehicle registered under Dr. Umar’s name has been confiscated as part of the inquiry.