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Al-Falah University

In a riveting discussion on the YouTube show “Open Collar,” retired Indian Army Major Gaurav Arya and former IPS officer Vikram Singh dissected the role of Al-Falah University in the recent Delhi Red Fort blast, questioning if it represents a systemic intelligence failure.

As investigations unfold, the university’s alleged links to terror networks have sparked national debate on security lapses.

The Delhi Red Fort Incident: A Recap

On November 12, 2025, a powerful explosion rocked Delhi’s iconic Red Fort when a car laden with improvised explosives detonated, injuring several people and causing widespread panic.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) quickly classified it as a terrorist attack, attributing it to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) group.

Initial probes revealed the bomber’s vehicle originated from Faridabad, tracing back to Al-Falah University, a private institution known for its focus on minority education but now under scrutiny for potential radicalization activities.

Two suspects were arrested shortly after, with links to a Jammu and Kashmir terror module.

One key figure, Jasir Bilal Wani, an alleged drone expert, is believed to have coordinated the plot, highlighting sophisticated tech use in urban terrorism.

The car reportedly passed through 43 high-security zones unchecked, raising alarms about surveillance gaps in the capital.

Al-Falah’s Controversial Role

Al-Falah University, established in 2010 in Haryana’s Faridabad district, has faced audits and raids by the NIA following the blast.

Critics argue the institution, which caters largely to Muslim students, may have become a breeding ground for extremist ideologies, with reports of unchecked funding and affiliations.

In the “Open Collar” episode, Major Arya emphasized how intelligence agencies might have overlooked red flags, such as suspicious student activities and cross-border communications.

Vikram Singh, drawing from his policing experience, pointed to ground-level failures in monitoring educational institutions vulnerable to infiltration.

However, not all view this as an outright failure.

Intelligence sources claim multiple JeM plots were thwarted in recent months, suggesting the Red Fort incident was an isolated slip rather than systemic collapse.

“Every terror attack exposes gaps, but proactive busts show the system works,” Singh noted in the discussion, advocating for better inter-agency coordination.

Political Ramifications And Broader Insights

The blast has ignited political firestorms.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav labeled it a clear “intelligence failure,” demanding accountability from the central government.

PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti linked it to unrest in Kashmir, criticizing federal policies for fueling alienation.

From across the border, a Pakistani leader brazenly claimed responsibility, boasting of strikes “from Red Fort to Kashmir forests.”

In the original analysis, this incident underscores an evolving threat landscape where universities become soft targets for radicalization.

Unlike past attacks focused on borders, urban centers like Delhi now face hybrid threats involving drones and encrypted planning.

Major Arya’s military perspective highlights the need for AI-driven surveillance, while Singh’s law enforcement lens calls for community policing on campuses.

Together, they argue for reforms: mandatory audits for sensitive institutions and real-time data sharing between RAW, IB, and local police.