NIA arrests Indian Mujahideen's key operative from IGI airport

NEW DELHI: A key operative of terror outfit Indian Mujahideen (IM) was arrested on Friday from Indira Gandhi International airport by the NIA.

Abdul Wahid Siddibapa, a resident of Bhatkal in Karnataka, was held after his arrival from Dubai. He was detained in January 2014 based on red corner notice from India but managed to evade his deportation.

According to NIA, Abdul was based in Dubai since 2001 and was allegedly recruiting people for IM to carry out terror activities in India. He has allegedly funded the outfit’s activities from there, NIA said.

NIA said Abdul is wanted in a case pertaining to a conspiracy by IM to attack various places in India. He was held on the basis of a warrant of arrest and a Red Corner Notice already issued against him, the officials said.

Abdul’s name first cropped up during the interrogation of Yasin Bhatkal, who was arrested in August 2013 near Indo-Nepal border. Based on the description given by Yasin, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) got an Interpol’s red corner notice issued against Abdul.

According to government officials, the deportation was delayed after Pakistan using diplomatic channels tried to claim he is a Pakistani.