When Jaish-e-Mohammed posters appeared on the walls of Srinagar neighborhood in October 2025, nobody imagined they would lead investigators to uncover one of the most sophisticated "Medical terror modules" in recent years, one that specifically targeted medical professionals.
At the center of it all was Irfan Ahmad Wagay, a 31-year-old cleric who police say used his religious authority and medical connections to radicalize educated youth. The trail from those posters eventually led to the seizure of nearly 3 tons of explosives in Faridabad and the arrest of doctors across multiple states.
Here are seven key facts about the man investigators describe as the "brain" behind this chilling operation.
Irfan Ahmad Wagay, 31, worked as paramedical staff at Government Medical College and Hospital, Srinagar, before becoming a full-time cleric. This dual identity proved crucial to his alleged recruitment strategy. His position in the medical community gave him direct access to doctors and medical students, while his role as an imam provided religious legitimacy.
Investigators believe he skillfully exploited both identities to reach and influence educated professionals under the guise of faith and service.
Wagay's rented room in Nowgam, Srinagar, served as the nerve center of the alleged conspiracy. The room doubled as a darasgah (religious school) where he taught the Quran while simultaneously indoctrinating his students with extremist ideology.
Police officials stated that this location hosted meetings with doctors and other recruits where the terror module was allegedly conceived and planned.
He also held gatherings at Masjid Ali in Nayak Bagh and also frequently changing locations to avoid detection.
Wagay completed his religious education at Dar-ul-Uloom Bilaliya in Lal Bazar, Srinagar.
He later studied at Bahar-ul-Uloom Darazgarh in Uttar Pradesh between 2017 and 2018.
According to police, he was initially influenced by Jamaat-e-Islami ideology but became increasingly radicalized under Deobandi-Salafi influences.
Investigators are currently examining his Uttar Pradesh connections to determine if he established any terror-related links during his studies there.
Wagay hails from Nadigam village in Shopian, the same village as Jamaat-e-Islami chief Abdul Hamid Fayaz, who has been imprisoned since 2019.
Shopian and neighboring Kulgam have historically been strongholds of Jamaat-e-Islami and have produced a significant number of South Kashmir's militant leadership.
The area has deep-rooted connections to militancy, including Hizbul Mujahideen commander Ghulam Hassan Khan, who was killed in Nowgam in 2003, the same area where Wagay later established his operational base.
The investigation began on October 19, 2025, when Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) posters appeared overnight in Nowgam and Bunpora.
Written in Urdu, the posters carried a chilling warning: "We know who the mukhbirs (informers) are - and they won't be spared." Some versions reportedly threatened "imminent spectacular attacks" against security forces and non-locals. CCTV footage led police to three men pasting the posters which were identified as Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid.
When questioned, all three revealed that Wagay had provided them with the posters, leading investigators directly to him.
What makes this case particularly alarming is Wagay's alleged focus on recruiting educated, white-collar professionals, especially from medical backgrounds.
Police described him as responsible for radicalizing young men by showing them JeM propaganda videos and delivering sermons inspired by the group's ideology.
A senior official stated ,"He believed in radical Islam. There was a madrasa attached to the mosque where he used to radicalise people."
His network reportedly included Dr. Muzammil Ganai in Faridabad and Dr. Adeel Ahmad Rather in Saharanpur, both of whom were subsequently arrested. This represents what officials call a "disturbing new trend in militancy" that relies on educated professionals to lend legitimacy and operational depth to terror outfits.
Wagay was arrested on November 8, 2025, from his rented accommodation in Chanapora, Srinagar. During searches, police recovered electronic gadgets that provided crucial leads to the wider network.
His interrogation led to joint raids by Jammu and Kashmir Police and Haryana Police on November 10, which uncovered a massive cache of 2,900 kilograms of IED-making material in Faridabad.
The scale of the seizure shocked investigators and highlighted the extent of the planned operations.
Wagay is married with one child, and his wife is currently six months pregnant with their second child. Following his arrest, his wife was also taken into custody for questioning. Investigators reportedly wanted to question her about her alleged contacts with other individuals being investigated in the case, including Dr. Shahin Shahid.
Dr. Shaheen is now suspected to have become a senior figure in JeM's women's wing, Jamaat-ul-Mominat, as per India Today.
The involvement of family members in the investigation underscores the depth and complexity of the network that authorities are attempting to unravel.
Note: Irfan Ahmad Wagay's relatives have denied all allegations of his involvement in terror-related activities. One family member stated, "These are all allegations we don't accept. He taught at a school in Srinagar and would visit his family in Shopian every weekend." The investigation remains ongoing, with multiple agencies coordinating across Delhi, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir.
