The arrest of 30-year-old Ahmed Zarar Mohammad Siddibappa alias Yasin alias Shahrukh alias Wasim, who allegedly masterminded innumerable terror strikes in at least seven Indian states and Delhi, is being termed as an important piece of detection by ATS as he knows everyone associated with the Indian Mujahideen (IM).
Maharashtra ATS chief Rakesh Maria said, “This will definitely impact IM’s bomb making and indoctrination process. He knows everyone associated with the IM.”
“We will take a transfer warrant to get him to Mumbai,” added Mr Maria.
According to the ATS, Yasin is wanted in eight terror cases in Maharashtra, which is the most as compared to the rest of the states. A general conspiracy case has been registered against him in 2012 for planning terrorist activity. He masterminded the 13/7 triple blasts in Mumbai. The same evening, he left Mumbai by train.
Earlier, he had also planted bomb at Pune’s German bakery in 2010. Yasin is also accused of stealing four vehicles from Navi Mumbai that were later used in bomb blasts in other states. Yasin was one of the IM’s experts in making bombs. “He was also instrumental in bringing in the hawala money, making bombs and planting them. Yasin indoctrinated youths and headed many modules,” said Mr Maria.
According to the ATS, Yasin was born on January 15, 1983 and hails from Bhatkal in Karnataka. He got married in 2011 in Delhi. One of the 13/7 arrested accused Naqi Ahmed, who cried innocence, was seen in Yasin’s wedding videos. He has studied till Class 10 but could not pass the exam. After that, he completed his talim (religious studies). He has also
taken lessons in Unani medicine.
In 2005, Yasin’s father took him to Dubai, but he soon returned to India. Between 2005 and 2006, Riyaz Bhatkal, a civil engineer and his brother Iqbal indoctrinated Yasin in Magdum colony in Bhatkal. In the same period, he received training in Pakistan including bomb making and returned to India, said Mr Maria.
Soon, Yasin began indoctrinating youngsters by organising Darz programmes in Bhatkal.