Doctor Turned Terror Suspect The Journey of Shaheen Shahid From Healer to Key Arrest

Dr Shaheen Shahid, a 43 year old former doctor from Lucknow, has emerged as a pivotal figure in the terror module busted in Faridabad. Once lauded for her academic dedication, she is now accused of playing a strategic role in the network. 

Born to a retired health department employee, Shaheen fulfilled her dream of becoming a doctor and joined the faculty at GSVM Medical College in Kanpur in 2006. Colleagues described her as “diligent” early in her career. Her professional path, however, took a sharp turn. After a period of irregular attendance she was dismissed in 2021. Simultaneously, her personal life revealed strain: a marriage to a Maharashtra-based ophthalmologist ended in divorce in 2015, and she subsequently relocated to Faridabad, allegedly in the company of key accused in the module. 

Police now link her to the sprawling terror operation which reportedly has ties to banned outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. According to investigative sources, Shaheen was part of JeM’s women recruitment wing in India, allegedly receiving instructions from Pakistan while engaging in recruitment efforts. Authorities also recovered assault rifles, pistols with live rounds, and magazines reportedly in her name at the time of her arrest. 

The case raises profound questions about how a certified medical practitioner became involved in a terror module. Experts point to the broader danger of radicalisation among professionals doctors, lecturers operating under the radar, exploiting credibility and access. Faridabad, the university where several accused were associated, and multiple states Haryana, UP, J and K are now under intense scrutiny.

While efforts continue to map the network’s financing, movements, training and overseas links, Shaheen’s trajectory from physician to suspect underscores a disturbing trend: radicalisation is no longer relegated to fringe elements alone. In the crowded markets of north India, and within respected professions, hidden threats may be operating. Her case serves as a stark wake-up call for institutions and security agencies alike.