Special Crime & Security Report | News Desk
In a dramatic escalation following the recent Delhi bombing, security forces on Thursday conducted a major operation in Pulwama district of Jammu & Kashmir, demolishing the residential home of Dr. Umar Farooq — the prime suspect believed to be the mastermind behind the Red Fort blast earlier this week.
Massive Security Operation in Pulwama
Early Thursday morning, a joint team of the Jammu & Kashmir Police, Army, and CRPF cordoned off Dr. Umar’s ancestral village based on specific intelligence inputs. Officials said the suspect had been using the residence as a safe house and logistical point to coordinate terror activities.
Explosive-handling teams were deployed to check for hidden IEDs. After a meticulous search, controlled demolition charges were used to bring down the structure — a method now frequently adopted during high-risk anti-terror operations.
Authorities described the action as part of a broader crackdown on “white-collar terror networks,” referring to radicalised professionals who use education, respectability, and social standing to mask terror command roles.
Who Is Dr. Umar?
Preliminary investigations show that Dr. Umar, a medical professional, is linked to a hybrid terror module combining professional backgrounds with extremist ideology. He is suspected to have:
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Provided technical expertise to assemble sophisticated explosives
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Coordinated with handlers across the border
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Recruited educated youth into sleeper networks
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Played a central role in planning the Delhi bombing
Security sources say Dr. Umar maintained a clean public profile to avoid suspicion while using encrypted communication to operate covertly.
Connection With the Delhi Blast
The Red Fort bombing, which triggered a high alert across Delhi, has been described by investigators as a “precision-triggered terror attack.” Forensic teams recovered fragments suggesting advanced detonators and chemical explosives — indicating a highly skilled operative.
Phone intercepts and digital forensic trails reportedly placed Dr. Umar in the communication chain just hours before the blast. His repeated sudden absences from his workplace had already attracted the attention of intelligence agencies.
Aftermath: Region on High Alert
Following the demolition, Pulwama and nearby districts remain under heightened security. Multiple checkpoints have been established, and drone surveillance intensified to track potential movement of Umar’s associates.
Key developments so far:
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Raids across South Kashmir
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Several suspected overground workers detained
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Surveillance strengthened along infiltration routes
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Delhi Police Special Cell coordinating continuously with J&K authorities
Security officials believe dismantling this module is essential to preventing further attacks in northern India.
Official Statement
A senior security official, on condition of anonymity, said:
“This operation sends a clear message. No individual — no matter how educated or socially respected — will be spared if found sheltering or aiding terror activities. The hunt for Dr. Umar continues.”
The Ministry of Home Affairs is expected to issue a detailed briefing soon, while multi-agency teams continue efforts to locate the prime suspect.
Public Reaction
News of the demolition has drawn mixed reactions. Many citizens have welcomed the firm action against terrorism, while civil rights groups have called for transparency on evidence and the legal basis of the operation. In the Valley, the situation remains tense but controlled, with security forces deployed to prevent unrest.
A Turning Point in the Investigation
As the probe into the Delhi bombing deepens, the crackdown in Pulwama marks a significant turning point. Dr. Umar’s alleged hybrid-terror model has alerted security agencies to a dangerous new trend — educated professionals emerging as high-impact operatives within extremist networks.
With the suspect still absconding, officials say the next few days will be critical as the pursuit continues and the module faces complete dismantling.
