The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday took accused Shaheen Saeed to Al Falah University in Faridabad as part of its investigation into the deadly blast near Delhi’s Red Fort earlier this month. The explosion had claimed 15 lives and triggered a nationwide probe into what authorities say was a terror network linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

Shaheen, earlier addressed as a doctor, worked as a professor at the university and was allegedly involved in forming a team of “terror doctors,” according to officials. Her designation was subsequently removed after the case surfaced.

NIA questions Shaheen on campus movement, visitors

Investigators escorted Shaheen to multiple locations inside the university, including room number 22 where she stayed, her cabin, and the classrooms she used while teaching.
In the presence of university staff, the NIA asked her who visited her on campus and facilitated a meeting between her and the vice-chancellor.

Shaheen, originally from Lucknow, was reportedly given the task of setting up the women’s wing of Pakistan-based JeM in India.

“Terror couple” operated from campus to Mewat, say investigators

Co-accused Muzammil Shakeel Ganai told investigators that he and Shaheen were legally married in 2023, with the ceremony held at a nearby mosque. Both allegedly worked together to build a terror network extending from the university to the Mewat region.

Officials said Shaheen’s main role involved recruiting individuals, especially women, into the network.

Later on Thursday, the NIA took her to Khori Jamalpur in Faridabad, where she and Muzammil had rented a flat. She was subsequently brought back to Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday virtually inaugurated Skyroot Aerospace’s new Infinity Campus in Hyderabad and unveiled Vikram-I, the country’s first privately developed orbital rocket. He called the achievement a defining moment for India’s growing private space ecosystem and a symbol of the nation’s credibility, innovation and ambition.

PM calls Vikram-I launch a milestone in India’s private space journey

PM Modi congratulated Skyroot founders Pawan Chandana and Bharath Daka, noting that India had grown from experimenting with basic resources to developing launch vehicles capable of meeting global demand. He said India’s progress was driven not by the availability of resources but by determination and reform.

The Prime Minister highlighted that the opening of the space sector, the creation of IN-SPACe, and facilitation through ISRO had enabled a “private space revolution”, with more than 300 new space startups emerging in recent years.

India eyes global demand for small satellite launches

With rising international demand for small satellites and higher launch frequencies, PM Modi said India had a major opportunity to expand its presence in the commercial launch market. He emphasised that global firms were seeking to manufacture satellites in India and collaborate on technology and launch services.

The Prime Minister linked this momentum with India’s overall startup boom across fintech, agritech, health-tech, climate-tech and defence sectors, noting that India now hosts 1.5 lakh registered startups, including several unicorns.

Skyroot’s Infinity Campus to build one rocket every month

The newly inaugurated Infinity Campus covers 200,000 sq ft and is designed to manufacture one rocket every month. Vikram-I marks Skyroot’s transition from sub-orbital missions to full-scale commercial orbital launches. The company had earlier made history by becoming the first private Indian firm to launch a rocket — Vikram-S — in 2022.

PM Modi expressed confidence that India’s young innovators would shape the future of the global space economy, saying the coming years would belong to Indian scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs.

In a major political development ahead of next year’s Assembly elections, the Assam Cabinet has approved the Group of Ministers (GoM) report recommending Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for six prominent communities of the state — Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Motok, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes (Adivasis).

Cabinet gives nod to long-pending proposal

The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at Lok Sewa Bhawan, cleared the report amid ongoing protests by these communities demanding recognition. If the Centre approves the recommendation, Assam will be officially categorised as a tribal state.

The GoM was headed by Education Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu, with Ministers Pijush Hazarika and Keshab Mahanta as members. The Cabinet decision advances the process significantly, with the report now scheduled to be tabled in the Assam Legislative Assembly before being forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Chief Minister Sarma stated that the report reflects the aspirations of the people and confirmed that the Tribal Affairs Department will forward it to the Assembly. Once accepted by the Speaker, it will be tabled during the ongoing session.

Land cleared for textile heritage museum

The Cabinet also approved the transfer and modification of three bighas of land from the Government Muga Farm at Reshom Nagar, Khanapara, to the Cultural Affairs Department.

The land will house a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to Assam’s textile legacy. The museum, supported by JSW I&P Holdings Pvt. Ltd., will showcase the historic Vrindavani Vastra, which is being brought on loan from the British Museum in London.