'Indians by heart': Arrested doctor Muzammil’s family denies terror charges

Srinagar: The family of Dr Muzammil Ganaie, arrested following the recovery of 350 kilograms of explosives from his rented room in Faridabad on Tuesday, denied any connection between the medico and terrorist activities.

Dr Ganaie, who worked at a hospital under Al-Falah University in Faridabad, was arrested on Tuesday by Jammu and Kashmir police over alleged terror links.

“It is being alleged that he is a big terrorist. We have no knowledge of it. For the past five decades, there has been no case against anyone from our family,” Azad Shakil, Muzammil’s brother, told PTI from their Pulwama residence.

Shakil added that the family, who are farmers by profession, have previously faced attacks from stone-pelters for being nationalists. “We are completely Indians and have stood for the nation. You can verify it from anyone in the village,” he said.

Asked about his brother’s alleged involvement, Shakil described him as a ‘good person’ and noted that the family has not yet been allowed to meet him. He added that Dr Ganaie was scheduled to return home to attend his sister’s wedding, planned for Sunday, which has now been cancelled. The accused had also visited Kashmir earlier when his father underwent surgery.

Police have stated that the Faridabad network is linked to the explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort. The arrested individuals are reportedly connected to terrorist organisations in Kashmir and were allegedly planning to expand terror activities to other states.

In response, the central government has decided to hand over the investigation of the blast to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The decision came during a high-level security review meeting held on Tuesday morning at the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The meeting, which began at 11 a.m., was attended by the Union Home Secretary, IB Director, Delhi Police Commissioner, NIA DG, and Jammu and Kashmir DGP.