In mid-October 2025, posters in Urdu appeared on the streets of Nowgam, a village in Jammu & Kashmir’s Anantnag district, warning locals not to shelter “INDIAN PREDATORS” or face severe consequences. These posters were signed by Commander Hanzala Bhai, a member of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group.
For most residents of Srinagar, such posters seemed normal like a familiar threat that resurfaces from time to time. But for Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar and a 2014-batch IPS officer known for his tactical precision, this was anything but ordinary.
Having earlier led the J&K Police component in Operation Mahadev, which neutralized the Pahalgam attackers, he was no stranger to terror modules. What looked like routine propaganda to others appeared unusual to him. Driven by instinct and operational experience, he ordered a detailed investigation.
That decision would soon expose one of the largest white-collar terror networks in recent years, an operation spanning multiple states, involving radicalized medical professionals, massive quantities of explosives, and plans that could have caused catastrophic loss of life.
Dr. Chakravarthy’s journey from medicine to policing is as unique as it is remarkable. Born in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, he comes from a family deeply rooted in public service. His father, Dr. G.V. Rama Gopal Rao, served as Resident Medical Officer at Kurnool Government General Hospital, while his mother, P.C. Rangamma, worked with the District Medical and Health Department.
After completing his MBBS from Kurnool Medical College in 2010, he practiced medicine for nearly a year before choosing the Indian Police Service in 2014 as he was motivated by a larger commitment to national service. His unique background, combining a physician’s analytical mind with a police officer’s grit, became one of his greatest strengths in counter-terror operations.
His service record across Jammu & Kashmir reflects years of frontline policing in some of the region’s most challenging terrains. He has served as SDPO Uri and Sopore, SP Operations Baramulla, SP South Srinagar, SP Handwara, and later SSP Kupwara, Kulgam, and Anantnag. In April, 2025, he took charge as SSP Srinagar which is one of the most critical postings in the region.
CCTV footage quickly identified three overground workers with prior stone-pelting histories. Interrogation of these initial suspects led investigators to Maulvi Irfan Ahmad. Over questioning, Ahmad exposed a multi-state Jaish-e-Mohammed network.
Dr. Chakravarthy’s investigative approach combined meticulous planning with rapid decision-making. He personally reviewed evidence, supervised key interrogations, and coordinated with teams across states. The case soon expanded beyond Kashmir to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, exposing a sophisticated module embedded within sectors like healthcare and education.
What investigators uncovered was unprecedented. A terror network which is referred to by authorities as the "White Coat Terror Module" had successfully radicalized medical professionals and students, giving the group a disturbing veneer of legitimacy.
Several individuals were arrested, including Kashmiri doctors Muzammil Ganaie, Adeel Ahmad Rather, and Dr. Shaheen Sayeed, along with operatives managing logistics and recruitment. Massive quantities of explosives and weapons were recovered, most notably more than 2,500 kg of explosives from Faridabad.
Dr. Muzammil Ahmad Ganai:
A faculty member at Al-Falah University’s medical school and a resident of Koil village in Pulwama, he was among the earliest arrests. Searches of his home and devices revealed extensive links to the wider network, helping police trace other operatives.
Dr. Shaheen Shahid (Sayeed) Ansari:
Employed at Al-Falah University’s medical school, she was arrested in Lucknow by Uttar Pradesh Police and J&K Police. Investigators probed her alleged role in attempting to establish a women’s wing of Jaish-e-Mohammed. A weapon was reportedly recovered from her vehicle during the raids.
The scale of the threat became devastatingly clear on November 10, 2025, when a blast tore through Delhi’s iconic Red Fort, killing several civilians and injuring dozens.
Investigations revealed that Dr. Umar Un Nabi, a self-radicalised doctor aligned with Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH), a Kashmir-based wing of Al Qaeda had carried out the attack. He panicked after the Faridabad raid and the arrest of his associates by J&K Police.
Security officials believe Dr. Chakravarthy’s swift actions prevented an even larger plot: a series of coordinated attacks across Delhi that could have resulted in far greater casualties.
Interrogations uncovered links to Pakistan-based handlers and pan-India terror networks. Following these revelations, a case was registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosive Substances Act, and the Arms Act at the Nowgam Police Station.
Dr. Chakravarthy is a six-time recipient of the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG), has received the J&K Police Medal for Gallantry four times, and holds the Indian Army Chief’s Commendation Disc. His leadership in the Nowgam investigation adds another defining chapter to his distinguished career.
(Rh/VK/MSM)