From doctor to defender: how a Telugu IPS officer Dr Sundeep Chakravarthy unearthed the Jaish module behind the Delhi blast

Delhi Blast: When Jaish-e-Mohammed posters surfaced in Nowgam, J&K, SSP Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy saw more than mere threats. His sharp instincts and medical precision led to the unravelling of a multi-state terror network involving doctors, explosives, and cross-border links — weeks before the deadly Delhi blast shook the nation.

When chilling Urdu posters warning locals against “sheltering Indian predators” appeared across Nowgam village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district on October 17, many dismissed them as yet another threat from terror groups. But for Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, those posters were a signal — the calm before a storm.

Signed by one Commander Hanzala Bhai of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), the notices accused residents of helping Indian security forces and warned of “strict action” against those who violated Sharia. What seemed like routine propaganda soon turned into a trail leading to one of the most sophisticated terror modules uncovered in recent years.

Dr. Chakravarthy, a Telugu IPS officer and former doctor, trusted his instincts. Having earlier led successful anti-terror operations in Baramulla and Pahalgam, his experience told him something was amiss. He launched a discreet probe, pulling CCTV footage and mapping suspicious movements across Nowgam’s alleys.

Within days, his team identified three individuals with a history of stone-pelting, whose network spanned Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

That small lead opened a Pandora’s box. As investigators followed the digital and financial footprints, they discovered that the Jaish network had infiltrated India’s heartland, using educated professionals — including doctors — as its operatives.

In coordinated raids across Faridabad, Uttar Pradesh, and Kashmir, police seized over 2,900 kilograms of explosives, sophisticated bomb-making material, and multiple AK-series rifles.

Several individuals, including Kashmiri doctors Muzammil Ganaie, Adeel Ahmad Rather, and Dr. Shaheen Sayeed, were arrested. They had allegedly posed as civilian professionals while working for Pakistan-based handlers. Their arrest exposed the dangerous extent to which terror groups had penetrated civilian institutions, operating under the guise of legitimacy.

Just weeks later, on November 10, Delhi witnessed a devastating explosion near the Red Fort, claiming 13 innocent lives and injuring dozens. As national agencies scrambled to identify the masterminds, Chakravarthy’s earlier investigation suddenly gained new relevance. The explosives used in the Delhi blast bore the same chemical signatures as those seized during his operations. His quick action, experts now say, may have prevented an even greater tragedy.

Born in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, into a family of medical professionals, Dr. Chakravarthy’s journey from medicine to policing is as extraordinary as his achievements. A graduate of Kurnool Medical College, he practiced briefly as a doctor before joining the Indian Police Service in 2014, driven by a desire to serve the nation more directly.

Throughout his career — as SP in Uri, Sopore, Handwara, Kupwara, Kulgam, and Anantnag — he has been at the forefront of counter-terror operations. Known within the force as the “Operation Specialist,” he has a reputation for combining scientific precision with instinctive field leadership. His six President’s Police Medals for Gallantry and four J&K Police Medals for bravery stand testimony to that.

In Srinagar, he has balanced firmness with empathy, introducing community engagement programs that have helped bridge the trust gap between civilians and police. His philosophy is simple — “Law and order with humanity.”

Today, as agencies continue to connect the dots between the Jaish module and the Delhi blast, Dr. Chakravarthy’s investigation has come to represent more than a single success story. It’s a reminder that vigilance, intelligence, and leadership can avert disasters long before they strike. In the volatile terrain of Jammu & Kashmir, his story stands as a testament to how one officer’s intuition and courage can shield an entire nation from terror.

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