In a joint operation, the Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana Police uncovered a major terror module in Faridabad, seizing over 2,900 kilograms of suspected ammonium nitrate along with a cache of arms and ammunition. The materials were traced to individuals linked to a local medical college, officials said.
Among those arrested were Dr. Muzamil Shakeel and Adil Ahmed, while a woman doctor was detained after investigators recovered a Krinkov rifle from her car. Authorities said the operation was part of an ongoing investigation into a wider network suspected of sourcing explosives and weapons for planned terror strikes.
In this report, we have compiled 20 major RDX and ammonium nitrate seizures in India between 2000 and 2025, involving Islamist and Naxal-linked groups. The dataset summarises dates, locations, quantities seized, and key operational details from police and counterterrorism records, highlighting persistent security vulnerabilities and the scale of explosive trafficking across states.
#1 Major Explosives Haul: 2,900 kg Chemical Seized from Faridabad Doctors – 09 November 2025
In a significant crackdown in Faridabad, Haryana, police busted a terror module linked to medical professionals. The operation led to the seizure of over 2,900 kg of suspected ammonium nitrate. Authorities arrested Dr. Muzamil Shakeel and Adil Ahmed, while Dr. Shaheen Shahid was detained after a Krinkov assault rifle was found in her car. The massive quantity of explosives, recovered from locations connected to the accused doctors, highlighted a sophisticated network operating within the country, raising serious concerns about the infiltration of terror elements into professional sectors.
#2 Punjab Police Thwart BKI Plot, Seize 2.5 kg RDX IED – 09 October 2025
Jalandhar police dismantled a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module, seizing a 2.5 kg RDX-based Improvised Explosive Device (IED), a remote control, and a motorcycle. The module was allegedly operated under the direction of UK-based handlers Nishan Jaurian and Adesh Jamarai, and BKI mastermind Harwinder Singh alias Rinda. Intelligence inputs indicated the IED was intended for a specific terror attack. The accused, Gurjinder Singh and Deewan Singh, were arrested and booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosive Substances Act.
#3 Rajasthan Police Uncover 2,075 kg of Explosives in Abandoned Vehicle – 11 May 2025
Police in the Bassi area of Jaipur Rural, Rajasthan, discovered a suspicious abandoned pickup truck near Mohanpura bridge. A search revealed a massive cache of 2,075 kilograms of explosive material, including ammonium nitrate and Opti Star explosive. The vehicle was registered to an individual from Bhilwara who, along with the driver, remained untraceable. The discovery of such a large quantity of explosives in a public area caused alarm, prompting police to seize the vehicle and inform the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).
#4 1.16 kg RDX IED Safely Defused in Haryana – 22 September 2022
A potentially devastating incident was averted in Katthal, Haryana, after a 1.16 kg IED packed with RDX was found placed inside an iron box near Kainchi Chowk. The discovery was made based on a tip-off. The Special Task Force immediately secured the area and summoned the bomb disposal squad, which safely defused the explosive. A case was registered under the Explosive Substances Act, though the perpetrators remained unknown, underscoring the persistent threat of hidden explosive devices in public spaces.
#5 Gurdaspur Police Seize 1 kg RDX, Uncover LeT Links – 01 December 2021
In an operation in Dinanagar, Gurdaspur, Punjab Police seized 1 kg of RDX. The accused, Sukhwinder Singh, revealed during interrogation that he had planted the explosive and admitted to having links with Pakistan-based entities. The highly explosive RDX was capable of causing destruction within a 50-meter radius. The arrest led to ongoing investigations to determine connections with other suspects and to verify the extent of the network’s links across the border.
#6 Major Cache of 71 Grenades, 24 kg RDX Destroyed in Reasi – 26 November 2021
Security authorities in Reasi, Jammu & Kashmir, safely destroyed a massive stockpile of explosives that had been seized over the years in anti-terror operations. The cache, stored in police custody, included 71 hand grenades, 24 kg of RDX, detonators, IED fuses, and remotes. After seeking necessary permissions from various courts, the police carried out a controlled destruction of the materials to prevent any accidental blast, drawing a line under several terror cases registered since 2009 in the Mahore-Chassana belt.
#7 12 kg RDX, Ammonium Nitrate Recovered from Jungle Hut in Palghar – 05 November 2016
A significant stock of explosives, including 12 kg of RDX, two packets of ammonium nitrate, 40 gelatin sticks, and 39 detonators, was unearthed from an abandoned hut in a jungle near Satavli village, Palghar. The materials, packed in black plastic bags, were found buried, suggesting long-term storage for potential large-scale blasts. The Mumbai Crime Branch and ATS recovered the cache based on specific intelligence and sent the evidence for forensic analysis to trace the source network.
#8 Over 40 kg Explosives Found Near Atomic Plant in Palghar – 27 October 2016
In a high-stakes operation, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) recovered over 40 kg of explosives, including RDX, gelatine, detonators, and white and black powder, from an abandoned Public Works Department building in Manor, Palghar. The location’s proximity to the Tarapur Atomic Power Station raised grave concerns, as the explosives were reportedly intended for terrorist activities. Acting on a tip-off, ATS teams used dog squads to locate and safely remove the materials, which were then sent for forensic examination.
#9 RDX from Udgir House Matches German Bakery Blast Evidence – 07 July 2012
Explosive material identified as RDX was seized from the residence of Mirza Himayat Inayat Baig in Udgir, Maharashtra. A sniffer dog confirmed its presence, and subsequent forensic analysis by the National Chemical Laboratory established that the seized RDX matched the components used in the infamous Koregaon Park German Bakery blast in Pune. This critical evidence was presented in court, linking the accused directly to the major terror attack.
#10 Maoist Hideout in Bihar Yields 1 kg RDX, 45 Grenades – 09 May 2012
Following a tip-off, police conducted a combing operation in the Banka forest of Bihar and discovered a Maoist hideout near Bagadhsawa village. The hideout contained a significant arsenal, including 1 kg of RDX, 45 grenades, 2 rifles, 2 can bombs, and empty cartridges. The Maoists managed to escape before the police arrival. All explosives and weapons were seized, and search operations continued in the surrounding forest areas to neutralize the threat.
#11 Security Forces Foil Attack on Kailash Yatra, Recover 3 kg RDX – 31 August 2008
Security forces averted a major tragedy on the Kailash Yatra route in Doda, Jammu & Kashmir, by busting a militant hideout in the Ramtandu area. The recovery included 3 kg of RDX, a .303 rifle, an AK magazine, ammunition, detonators, and 30 kg of ration. The materials indicated a planned attack on the annual pilgrimage, which attracts over 50,000 devotees. The timely sanitization operation prevented potential mass casualties.
#12 Delhi Police Nab LeT Trio with 2 kg RDX Near Red Fort – 20 December 2006
In a significant operation, Delhi Police’s Special Cell arrested three individuals from Manipur with alleged links to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) near the Red Fort. The trio was found carrying 2 kilograms of RDX, two detonators, and a hand grenade after alighting from a Jammu-bound bus. Officials claimed they were planning blasts in crowded Delhi markets, marking a concerning instance of LeT recruiting from India’s northeastern states. The accused were arrested and the explosives seized.
#13 J&K STF Unearths Massive 200 kg RDX Cache in Ramban – 04 November 2006
A major terrorist hideout was unearthed by the J&K Special Task Force in Ramban, containing a massive 200 kg of RDX and 60 detonators, along with 25 kg of fuse wire. The hideout was strategically located near a school. In a separate recovery in Udhampur, additional weapons and 3 kg of explosives were found. Two militants were arrested, while a Hizb-ul Mujahideen commander absconded.
#14 1.5 kg RDX Recovered from LeT Terrorists in Delhi’s Mahipalpur – 11 December 2006
Delhi Police arrested two Kashmir-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists, Guizar Ahmed and Mohd Amin, in the Mahipalpur area. A search led to the recovery of 1.5 kg of RDX, two detonators, and Rs. 2 lakh in cash from their possession. The duo was moving suspiciously when intercepted. The Special Cell took them into custody and began interrogations to uncover their plans and contacts within the national capital.
#15 Army Recovers 25 kg RDX Buried Near Kishtwar Temple – 09 October 2006
During a sanitization operation in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir, army troops recovered 25 kg of RDX and detonators buried in a field near the Sukrala Temple. Intelligence suggested that terrorists planned to use the explosives to target the temple during its annual festival. The timely recovery by security forces ensured the festival proceeded without incident, averting a potential disaster.
#16 Joint Operation Nets 35 kg RDX, IEDs in J&K’s Doda and Kathua – 21 January 2006
In a coordinated effort, security forces recovered 35 kg of RDX in Jammu & Kashmir. In Doda’s Deribagh village, a furnished underground hideout yielded 25 kg RDX, AK rifles, and a remote-control IED. On the Budhi-Nagrota-Ghati road in Kathua, three IEDs containing 10 kg of RDX were found in a bag. Two individuals, Mohammad Subhan and Akhtar Nabaz, were arrested for aiding militants. The bomb squad neutralized the IEDs, preventing a major attack.
#17 76 kg RDX Recovered from Bus and Fields in Bhaderwah – 04 January 2006
A massive haul of 76 kg of RDX was recovered in Bhaderwah, Doda. During a routine check in the Pranu area, 48 kg was found hidden in a bag under a bus seat. Subsequently, based on a tip-off, another 28 kg was unearthed from nearby fields. The bus driver and conductor were arrested, and passengers were questioned, revealing a significant operation for moving and storing high-grade explosives.
#18 35 kg LeT RDX Consignment Unearthed in Gujarat’s Kutch – 18 December 2001
In Kutch, Gujarat, a joint team of police and Border Security Force personnel recovered a 35 kg RDX consignment buried in the Ram of Kutch, linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba. The cache also included an AK-56 rifle, detonators, grenades, and remote control devices. The arrested accused, Muzamil Shahnawaz Husain, disclosed that the explosives were buried by a four-man team, with two returning to Pakistan.
#19 CBI-ATS Joint Op Recovers 5.2 kg RDX, Grenades in Patan – 17 December 2001
A joint operation by the CBI and the Anti-Terrorist Squad in Patan, Gujarat, led to the recovery of 5.2 kg of RDX, 10 hand grenades, grenade-launching rifles, a rocket, mines, pistols, and electronic timers. The materials were buried in a pit near Santalpur. Incriminating evidence, including a ‘Lashkar-e-Taiba’ letterhead and Pakistani newspapers, pointed to a cross-border connection. All items were seized for investigation.
#20 ISI Agent Held in Delhi with 10 kg RDX, Secret Letters – 05 December 2000
Military Intelligence and Delhi Police’s Special Cell arrested Khalid Mehmud, an alleged ISI agent, in Badarpur, South Delhi. From his possession, they recovered 10 kg of RDX, two AB timers, two detonators, and several letters containing sensitive information written in secret ink. A native of Lahore, Mehmud had been gathering intelligence on army movements and infrastructure since 1999. He was taken into custody, and the explosives and letters were seized.
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The New Face Of Terror In India: White-Collar Islamist Sleeper Cells
The recent Faridabad explosives haul and the Red Fort car blast are not isolated events. They are connected parts of a dangerous new strategy being used by Pakistan’s ISI to create terror within India. Instead of relying only on cross-border militants, they are now building secret “sleeper cells” inside the country, and they are deliberately recruiting educated professionals like doctors to lead them.
What is a Sleeper Cell?
Think of a sleeper cell as a secret team of terrorists that stays hidden and inactive for a long time, sometimes years. They live ordinary lives until they receive orders to carry out an attack.
Pakistan’s New Game Plan
After a successful Indian counter-terror operation (Operation Sindoor) in May against the group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Pakistan’s ISI and JeM have changed their approach. Intelligence reports reveal they are now building four specialized types of sleeper cells:
Logistical Cells: These handle fake IDs, SIM cards, and hideouts.
Financial Cells: These move money through charities and businesses to fund operations and buy materials like chemicals for bombs.
Ideological Cells: These use encrypted apps and social media to radicalize Indian youth. They spread propaganda about Muslims being suppressed to brainwash them.
Operational Cells: These are the action teams that carry out attacks. They now specifically recruit highly skilled people, like doctors and engineers, because they are the “least suspicious.”
The Faridabad-Red Fort Connection
The recent arrests show how this new system works.
Who are the Recruits?
The key arrested individuals are Indian nationals – doctors like Dr. Muzammil Sheikh, Dr. Adil Ahmed, Dr. Shaheen Shahid, and an Imam named Ishtiyaq.
What is the Process?
They were first slowly brainwashed online (cognitive conditioning) with propaganda. Their communication was kept secret through a “compartmentalization” method, meaning each person only knew a few others, so the whole network wouldn’t collapse if one was caught.
What were their Roles?
Dr. Muzammil used his position at a medical college to store huge amounts of ammonium nitrate for making bombs.
Dr. Shaheen handled the logistics, like arranging vehicles.
Imam Ishtiyaq was a recruiter, radicalizing other professionals.
The Attack?
The Red Fort blast was a “fidayeen” or suicide attack, which is the current preferred method to cause maximum damage.
The “White-Collar Terror” Ecosystem
This is the most alarming shift. Terror groups are now creating a “white-collar terror ecosystem.” They are targeting doctors and other educated professionals because:
They are smart and can handle complex tasks like building bombs.
They have access to dangerous chemicals and materials through their jobs.
No one would suspect a respected doctor of being a terrorist.
This raises a terrifying possibility: if they can get materials for bombs, they could also potentially get materials for biological weapons in the future.
Plausible Deniability: Hiding Behind Al-Qaeda
To avoid blame, Pakistan’s ISI is using a clever trick. They are using a group called Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, which is linked to Al-Qaeda. This allows the ISI to say, “We are not responsible; it’s Al-Qaeda.”
In reality, this group is made up of former members of ISI-backed groups like JeM and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). So, the ISI provides the logistics through JeM sleeper cells, while Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind handles the brainwashing and recruitment of Indians. This creates a “homegrown” terror module that Pakistan can deny any connection to.
What to Expect Next
The Red Fort attack is likely just the beginning. Security agencies warn that this new model of “homegrown, white-collar terrorism” is a major emerging threat. As the National Investigation Agency (NIA) continues its raids, more of these sleeper cells are expected to be uncovered. The danger is now increasingly coming from within, making it a more complex and challenging fight for India’s security forces.
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