Al Falah's Past Terror Ties Surface; Former Student Played Key Role in 2008 Blasts

Delhi blast investigations have uncovered disturbing historical connections between Al Falah University in Faridabad's Dhauj village and terrorism, revealing the institution's recurring links to bomb attacks spanning from Gujarat to Delhi over nearly two decades.

2008 Serial Blasts Connection

 Fugitive terrorist Mirza Shadab Baig, involved in five bombings in 2008, completed his BTech in electronics and instrumentation from Al Falah University in 2007. He disappeared shortly after traveling on his genuine passport and has been missing since September 19, 2008—the date of the Batla House encounter.

The 45-year-old, still absconding and believed to be in Saudi Arabia, was a native of Raja Ka Qila Mohalla in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh. A key Indian Mujahideen member, his engineering education at Al Falah provided technical expertise in bomb-making that he applied to devastating effect.

Multiple Agency Investigation 

The historical terror connections explain why multiple investigating and security agencies—Delhi Police Special Cell, Gujarat ATS, UP ATS, J&K Police, Haryana Police, and now Punjab Police—are jointly probing the case. On Friday, a Punjab Police team questioned several Al Falah staff members and students for hours, collecting information about a doctor recently detained from Pathankot.

This 45-year-old doctor had taught at a Pathankot medical college for three years after working four years at Al Falah. He maintained contact with several former Al Falah classmates, including connections to Dr. Umer Un-Nabi. Punjab Police gathered details about his university tenure and these relationships.

Baig's Terror Resume

Baig carries a Rs 1 lakh reward and remains wanted in multiple bombings. The 2008 Jaipur serial blasts involved nine explosions within 15 minutes across the city, killing 63 people and injuring 216. Baig traveled to Udupi, Karnataka, to collect explosives for these attacks, demonstrating operational sophistication. 

He was also involved in the 2008 Ahmedabad and Surat blasts, arriving in Ahmedabad 15 days before the attacks to conduct reconnaissance. He formed three teams with Qayamuddin Kapadia, Mujeeb Shaikh, and Abdul Raziq, with Baig's team including Atif Amin. Baig arranged all operational logistics.

The 2007 Gorakhpur blasts that injured six people also bore Baig's involvement. Gorakhpur police seized his property after discovering his Indian Mujahideen links. He has been absconding since the group's exposure in September 2008. Police last traced him to Afghanistan in 2019 and haven't located him since.

Current Investigation Developments

The NIA detained a cab driver for questioning Thursday night, taking Dr. Muzammil from J&K on production warrant for face-to-face interrogation with the driver. Nuh Police inspected Madrasa Jamia Madina Uloom at Jhimrawat village Thursday, though no suspicious items or persons were found.

Two investigation teams are conducting searches in Mewat areas, working to determine where refined explosives found in Muzammil's room were manufactured. Sources indicate that had agencies taken longer to bust this "white-collar" terror module, its network could have expanded significantly. 

The recurring Al Falah connections across multiple terror incidents over 15+ years raise serious questions about institutional oversight and whether the university environment facilitated radicalization or networking among extremist elements.