An important catch, says Home Secretary

The Union government on Monday termed a “very important catch” the deportation of suspected terrorist Fasih Mohammad from Saudi Arabia, as it could help Indian agencies solve important cases and give vital leads on terror modules operating against India from the Gulf nation.

“It was a very important catch… He was deported [from Saudi Arabia] after he had served a sentence there…Saudi Arabia cooperated with us,” Union Home Secretary R.K. Singh told journalists here.

“Material evidence”

Indian agencies submitted “material evidence” to Saudi Arabia against Fasih and “we persistently followed up the demand for deportation of the suspected terrorist, who is allegedly involved in several terror cases,” Mr. Singh said.

“Our officials were coordinating with Saudi Arabian authorities… We gave ample proof to them to prove that he is an Indian citizen. Our officers were constantly in touch with Saudi Arabia... That is how it happened,” he said.

Fasih was the key facilitator for 13 Indian Mujahideen terrorists arrested in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and a few other places late last year in connection with the Bangalore Chinnaswamy Stadium blast and the shootout outside Delhi’s Jama Masjid.

Mr. Singh rubbished media reports that Saudi Arabia had refused to deport Fasih.

Significantly, the Gulf nation was cooperating with India in its fight against terrorism. In June, India secured the deportation of Mumbai terror attacks suspect Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal from Saudi Arabia.

Sources in the Home Ministry said Fasih was likely to give key leads on the role of Pakistan and India-based terrorists setting up bases in Saudi Arabia and also on the involvement of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence in arranging funds and logistics for them and their handlers. It is suspected that these terrorists have been using Saudi Arabia as a base for carrying out attacks against India.