The main conspirator of the 2008 Gujarat serial blasts was arrested on Monday, 22 January, following a brief exchange of fire, ahead of Republic Day, Delhi Police said.
Abdul Subhan Qureshi, co-founder of the Indian Mujahideen (IM) and linked to the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), was arrested from Ghazipur in east Delhi on Saturday evening.
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad will send a team to Delhi to question Qureshi, who is wanted in relation to four cases in the state, reported The Indian Express.
Following the arrest, Qureshi’s father alleged that his son was never a part of any terrorist organisation or related activities.
He was never involved in any terror activities, the authorities can continue to say what they want.Qureshi’s father to ANI
Qureshi, 46, was on the radar of the Special Cell and other intelligence agencies. The NIA had announced a red corner notice, along with an award of Rs 4 lakh, for information on Qureshi.
He had been living in Nepal under a fake identity and had gone to Saudi Arabia between 2015-2017, and returned to India to revive a dying Indian Mujahideen, Kushwah said at a press conference.
Speaking to the press, DCP (special cell) PS Kushwah said that the department had information that he would come to meet an old acquaintance in Ghazipur. The police is currently investigating the associate’s credentials.
Qureshi was wanted by the NIA in connection with the 2008 serial bomb blasts in Delhi and Bengaluru and 2006 Mumbai local trains blasts as well. Following his arrest, the police are also investigating his roles in the said blasts.
His name had also cropped up in investigations into the serial blasts in Mumbai and Bangalore, the official said. More than 50 persons were killed when 20 blasts ripped through Gujarat's main city Ahmedabad on 26 July 2008. The Indian Mujahideen had taken responsibility for the blasts at the time.
Having earlier worked with IT companies based in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, Qureshi was also considered a bomb expert.
A TOI report said that the Gujarat police listed Qureshi as a suspect after receiving an email, claiming responsibility for the Ahmedabad blasts, which was sent to national television channels reportedly using the Wi-Fi network of a US citizen.
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