Kashmir, Nov 21: Following the recovery of an AK-47 rifle from the locker of a doctor arrested in the Delhi blast case and the seizure of a large cache of ammonium nitrate, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have launched a comprehensive crackdown on hospital and college lockers, as well as fertiliser and chemical traders, to prevent their misuse for terror activities.
The assault rifle was recovered by Jammu and Kashmir Police from the locker of Dr Adil Rather at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag in south Kashmir earlier this month. Rather, 32, a resident of Qazigund, was working as a senior resident at the hospital until October 2024. He has been arrested in connection with the Delhi Red Fort terror attack case and is alleged to be part of a “white-collar” terror network.
In the aftermath of the recovery, police, in coordination with health authorities, have intensified inspections of lockers used by doctors and staff across government and private hospitals, medical colleges, primary health centres (PHCs) and other health facilities, besides educational institutions.
“In line with ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in health institutions and security protocols within the city, Srinagar Police carried out inspections of lockers used by doctors and staff across district and private hospitals, medical colleges, PHCs and health facilities,” a police official said on Friday.
According to police, the drive is aimed at preventing misuse of lockers for unauthorised storage of illegal or hazardous materials and at strengthening internal security within medical institutions. All racks and lockers were thoroughly checked, and staff were reminded to maintain proper records and ensure that storage spaces are used strictly for official purposes.
Over the past week, police teams working with hospital administrations have carried out checks in major institutions including GMC Anantnag, GMC Srinagar, GMC Baramulla and SKIMS Soura. These inspections, a police official said, are “aimed at strengthening institutional safety, enhancing vigilance and eliminating any possibility of exploitation of public facilities by anti-national elements”.
Police officials said that lockers found unclaimed, improperly labelled or without valid ownership were documented for necessary follow-up action. Hospital authorities have been directed to update and maintain proper records of all allotted lockers and ensure strict adherence to identification and labelling protocols. Similar exercises have been initiated in other districts, including in colleges.
Staff in these institutions have also been briefed to maintain proper documentation and to ensure that lockers are used strictly for official and legitimate purposes, with any suspicious activity to be reported immediately.
Similarly, fertiliser and chemical sellers have come under the scanner in Kashmir after investigators linked a large cache of ammonium nitrate to the Delhi Red Fort blast module.
The car bomber, Dr Umar Nabi, who carried out the suicide attack that killed 15 people, is suspected to have used ammonium nitrate as a key explosive component. Before the blast, security agencies had recovered around 2,900 kilograms of ammonium nitrate from an interstate terror module operating between Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana’s Faridabad.
Police have now intensified inspections of hardware, fertiliser and chemical dealers, particularly in sensitive areas. Special teams have been checking outlets for proper stock and sale records, verification procedures for bulk purchasers and secure storage of sensitive materials.
Traders are being sensitised to strictly maintain documentation, adhere to safety norms and immediately report any suspicious purchases or unusual customer behaviour. Shopkeepers have been asked to keep detailed records of buyers, including identification particulars, quantity purchased and purpose of procurement, and to install functional CCTV cameras to strengthen surveillance and ensure traceability of transactions.
Ammonium nitrate is regulated under the Explosives Act, 1884, while its industrial use is governed by the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951. The white, colourless crystalline substance, produced through a highly exothermic reaction between ammonia and nitric acid, is a dual-use chemical with applications ranging from agriculture to healthcare, making it a tightly monitored commodity.
