Aijaz Sheikh, a suspected Indian Mujahideen operative, who had sent e-mails claiming responsibility for the Jama Masjid and Varanasi blasts in 2010, was arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
According to the police, Aijaz, 27, was working for a BPO in Pune to hide his real identity.
He was arrested on Friday after the police got information that a suspected IM operative, closely linked with Riyaz Bhatkal and Mohsin Chaudhary, would be arriving in Saharanpur. He was nabbed near the railway station.
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“Apart from sending e-mails, Ajaz used to provide logistics to the Indian Mujahideen operatives in India, prepare fake Identity Cards to procure SIM cards, collect Western Union Money Transfers (WUMT), obtain rooms on rent and even help operatives enrol themselves in professional educational institutions as a cover,” said Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) S.N. Shrivastava.
Mr. Shrivastava said during interrogation Aijaz disclosed that he became part of the banned terror outfit through Mohsin, his cousin.
“After the Batla House encounter in 2008, when IM operatives were being arrested in various States, Mohsin left India along with Riyaz and Iqbal, the Bhatkal brothers, and some other IM members of the Azamgarh module,” Mr. Shrivastava added.
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The Special Commissioner said Mohsin and Riyaz told Aijaz, then a young member of the IM, to stay back in India.
“They wanted someone to stay undercover so that their back-end needs could be met,” Mr. Shrivastava said.
Aijaz has a diploma in hardware, networking and Linux operation. He is also adept at the latest information and communications technology and started working for a BPO in Pune to maintain his cover, the police claimed.
The first task assigned to Aijaz was to assist Yasin in the German Bakery blasts in February 2010.
Aijaz arranged the mobile handset, SIM card and the rented accommodation near Bharti Vidyapeeth, Pune, which was used by Yasin to fabricate the IEDs and carry out the blasts, the police said.
He recceed several sites along with Yasin and was instrumental in finalising the German Bakery, the police said.
After the blasts, he was tasked with sending e-mails to various media organisations claiming responsibility for the IM's attacks.