IM mastermind Yasin Bhatkal arrested from Indo-Nepal border

New Delhi: In what is undoubtedly the biggest catch yet in India’s war against terror, National Investigation Agency sleuths arrested Indian Mujahideen mastermind Yasin Bhatkal from the Indo-Nepal border near Gorakhpur on Thursday.

Bhatkal, whose real name is Ahmed Siddibappa, was arrested on inputs from the Delhi Police and the Karnataka Police, reports said. His other aliases were Mohammad Zarrar, Ahmed, Imran, Asif and Shahrukh.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has confirmed the arrest after National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon informed the Prime Minister of the development. Bhatkal carried a reward of Rs 10 lakhs for his arrest.

30-year-old Bhatkal is the cousin of Indian Mujahideen founders Riyaz and Iqbal Bhatkal and has been part of the terror group since its inception.

He was the only founder member of the IM who was still active in India and is believed to be behind almost all bomb blasts carried out by the IM in the country.

As per reports, intelligence on Bhatkal’s movement was gathered during the probe into the serial blasts at Mahabodhi temple in Gaya last month.

Bhatkal’s arrest is the second big victory after Lashkar-e-Toiba bombmaker Abdul Karim Tunda was nabbed.