Bhatkal youth arrested by ATS at Airport on terror charges'

Bhatkal, Apr 27: An alleged operative of the Indian Mujahideen, which according to security agencies is responsible for several terror strikes in the country, was arrested in Mumbai on Tuesday by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad.

ATS officials said Zainul Abedin, 26, hailing from coastal Karnataka's Bhatkal, was arrested from the international terminal of Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at 5.30 a.m. Officials remained tight-lipped about where he had come from.

But unconfirmed sources said his arrest might have been the outcome of an understanding reached over the last couple of months between India and a West Asian country, where Abedin was found to have been staying.

“Abedin was wanted in connection with the 2011 blasts at Zaveri Bazaar, Opera House and Kabootarkhana and Dadar, which left 27 dead and around 127 injured. We have arrested 11 accused in the case so far, and inquires had indicated his involvement in the blasts. He was involved in the procurement and transport of the explosives. In 2015, after it was found that Abedin had left the country, we had issued a Red Corner Notice,” said Niket Kaushik, Special Inspector-General of Police, ATS.

Mr. Kaushik said Abedin was also wanted by the Karnataka ATS in connection with some cases filed in that State. He was produced in court and remanded in the custody of the ATS till May 6.

The ATS has already arrested Naqee Ahmed Sheikh, Nadeem Sheikh, Kawal Pathrija, Haroon Naik, Kafil Ansari, Mohammed Zaraar alias Yaseen Bhatkal, Asadullah Akhtar, Ejaz Sheikh, Sayyed Aleem and Sadaam Khan in the case and filed a charge sheet against them. Officials said seven more accused were still wanted.