Suspected SIMI operative Azharuddin alias Azhar alias Chemical Ali, wanted in connection with the 2013 Bodhgaya and Patna bomb blasts, was nabbed by the Chhattisgarh Police from Hyderabad airport after he landed from Saudi Arabia, an officer said on Saturday.
Ali, 32, a native of Raipur, has been wanted since the last six years after he was named as an accused in connection with the Bihar blasts, Raipur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Arif Sheikh told reporters.
“Acting on a specific input, he was arrested by a joint team of Chhattisgarh Police and its Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) wing from Hyderabad airport on Friday after he landed (in a flight) from Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Ali is suspected to have given shelter to terrorists involved in the Bodhgaya and Patna blasts.
“In December 2013, Raipur Police had busted a module of the banned outfit (Students Islamic Movement of India) in the state capital and over a period of time arrested 17 people, including SIMI sleeper cell head Umer Siddiqui, in connection with the Bodhgaya and Patna blasts,” the SSP said.
Ali will be produced in local court, the SSP said, adding that police will seek a two-day remand for Ali.
“Ali’s interrogation is likely to reveal crucial details like if he had had any support base in Hyderabad,” the police officer added.
The renowned Buddhist pilgrimage town of Bodh Gaya was rocked by a series of blasts on July 7, 2013.
