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. Incidentally, Fasih belongs to Darbhanga region of Bihar. Abu Jundal, an important Lashkar militant, had also revealed more details about Fasih during interrogation.
Even though the intelligence agencies admit Fasih is not a “hardcore militant” they describe him as one of the “key facilitators, fund-raisers, good at arranging logistics and a master strategist”. Investigating officials claim Fasih’s number in Saudi Arabia had figured regularly during technical investigations into the Darbhanga module and he that he had been on the watch list since then. The Indian intelligence agencies had tipped off their Saudi counterparts.
Sources claim Fasih was largely assigned the role of “managing” 13 IM members, most of whom belonged to areas around Darbhanga. Some of them were arrested by the special cell while some are still at large. “During a visit to India from Saudi Arabia Fasih had recruited these people. We have evidence to suggest he was in regular touch with them when the conspiracy for the Chinnaswamy Stadium and Jama Masjid attacks was being hatched. He even sent money from Saudi Arabia through the hawala network for these two assignments. Fasih was clearly part of the conspiracy,” a senior intelligence official said.
Fasih, officials suspect, is an important link between the IM and Lashkar operatives, like Fayaz Kagzi, in Saudi Arabia as most of the fund-raising there is done by Lashkar operatives. Fasih has also been helping IM modules by providing safe hideouts and other facilities, particularly in Bihar and Karnataka.
Sources said Fasih used to send IM operatives for training to Pakistan and provide logistical support like shelter and communication facilities. The Indian agencies are on the lookout for four to five more terror suspects, of which two are suspected to be in Saudi Arabia.
Fasih’s family, however, claims he’s being made a scapegoat. But intelligence agencies claim Fasih has been the key fund-raiser and facilitator who helped IM founder Riaz Bhatkal lay the foundation of IM. Fasih is No. 3 in the IM hierarchy, according to IB sources.