The deportation of Fasih Mahmood has come as a shot in the arm for the Indian intelligence agencies, which feel the operative could unravel vital details regarding the nexus between Indian Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, particularly regarding their funding and logistical support. Union home secretary R.K. Singh described Fasih’s arrest as an “important catch”.
Fasih was deported from Saudi Arabia late Sunday night and formally arrested by the Delhi police special cell on arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Fasih was sent back by the Saudi authorities only after he underwent a jail sentence there. There was a red corner notice pending against Fasih for his alleged involvement in the Jama Masjid attack and Chinnaswamy Stadium blast in Bengaluru.
Fasih’s name had first come up during the interrogation by intelligence agencies and the special cell of an IM module known as the Darbhanga module in November last year.
Thirteen persons were arrested in connection with this case and some of them had named Fasih as one of the key IM operatives.