Al Falah University under scrutiny after Red Fort blast, professor with terror links missing

Investigators probing the Red Fort car explosion are examining possible links between one of the suspects and Al Falah University, a private institution based in Faridabad, Haryana. Police sources confirmed that Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan, a former medical professor at the university who was dismissed by the Jammu and Kashmir administration in 2023 for alleged connections with separatist and terror networks, has gone missing since the blast.

The explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort earlier this week killed eight people and injured several others. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Delhi Police’s special cell are leading the probe, which has now expanded to examine the academic and professional networks of individuals suspected of radical affiliations.

Missing professor once dismissed for ‘anti-national activities’

According to official records, Dr Hassan was removed from government service in Jammu and Kashmir by the Lieutenant Governor’s administration two years ago for “anti-national” conduct and links to banned groups. He was reportedly associated with separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and had drawn scrutiny for his speeches and social media activity.

After his dismissal, Dr Hassan joined Al Falah University, where he taught for a brief period in the medical faculty. Sources told investigators that he stopped reporting to work several weeks before the Delhi blast, and attempts to contact him since then have been unsuccessful.

Security officials are now investigating whether he had any role in what they suspect could be a broader “doctors’ module” — a network of educated professionals with links to extremist cells. Faridabad police have shared employment records and digital evidence from the university with central agencies.

University website hacked with anti-radical message

Hours after news emerged of the professor’s disappearance, Al Falah University’s official website was hacked by a group identifying itself as the “Indian Cyber Alliance”. The hackers replaced the homepage with a message reading: “Radical universities should not be allowed on Indian soil. Take this as a warning.”

The cyberattack temporarily took down the site before it was restored. Investigators from the Haryana cybercrime unit said preliminary analysis pointed to a domestic group acting in response to the blast rather than an organised foreign intrusion. The hack, however, added to the intense public attention surrounding the university.

Founded as an engineering college in 1997, Al Falah University expanded into a full-fledged private university in 2014 and began its medical courses in 2019. The administration has since issued a statement denying any institutional link to the Delhi explosion or to the activities of former faculty members. “The university operates within the framework of Indian law and condemns all forms of violence and extremism,” a spokesperson said.

NIA exploring wider terrorism network

Meanwhile, the NIA has widened its investigation to include possible connections between suspects from Delhi, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir. Forensic teams are analysing explosive residues recovered from the car that burst into flames near the Red Fort Metro station. Officials have not ruled out the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Sources indicate that intelligence agencies are investigating whether the group behind the blast had planned coordinated attacks elsewhere. One line of inquiry is examining if the explosion was intended as a rehearsal or diversion for a larger strike around Republic Day in January.

The post-mortem reports of the victims, which revealed ruptured eardrums and internal injuries consistent with a high-intensity explosion, suggest a powerful blast device was involved.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the injured at LNJP Hospital and met senior police officers at the blast site. He said no possibility was being ruled out, and all agencies were working “in full coordination” to identify the masterminds behind the attack.

Denial

Al Falah University Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr Bhupinder Kaur Anand, issued a robust statement in response to the recent allegations regarding a terror module associated with the Delhi Red Fort explosion. The university conveyed profound distress over the incident and unequivocally condemned these unfortunate events. The institution clarified that two doctors affiliated with the university had been apprehended by investigative agencies, but insisted that the university had no ties to them beyond their professional capacities.

The statement explicitly refuted all false and defamatory assertions circulating on social media and other platforms that attempt to link the university to any terrorist activities.

Delhi Blast | Al-Falah University VC Prof. Dr Bhupinder Kaur Anand releases a statement.

The statement reads, "We are anguished by the unfortunate developments that took place and condemn the same... We have also learnt that two of our doctors have been detained by the… pic.twitter.com/3lScwQRpim

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2025

Al Falah University affirmed its complete cooperation with all relevant investigative authorities to guarantee a logical, equitable, and definitive resolution of the inquiry in the interest of national security. The university urged responsible journalism and denounced misleading media reports that tarnish its reputation and propagate misinformation. This statement comes in the context of ongoing investigations, during which several doctors associated with the institution were detained, and significant quantities of explosives were confiscated in Faridabad, located near the university.

Search for answers continues

The disappearance of Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan and the scrutiny of Al Falah University have given the case a new dimension, highlighting how institutions can unwittingly become associated with individuals under watch for extremist leanings.

As Delhi recovers from the shock of the Red Fort explosion, investigators are racing against time to determine whether the blast was an isolated act of terror or part of a larger conspiracy. The NIA is expected to submit an initial report to the Ministry of Home Affairs within the next few days.