Arrested Jihadi by RAW from Muscat , Another contribution of Kerala

Overseas terror link: A RAW catch from Muscat

By M P Prashanth @


www.expressbuzz.com

KOZHIKODE: A breakthrough in the investigations into the overseas connections of the terror network in the state has been achieved by RAW with the arrest of Sarfaraz Nawaz from Muscat in a secret operation.

Hailing from Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district, Nawaz is an active worker of the Students Islamic Movement of India and a close associate of elusive SIMI leader C A M Basheer, who is now operating from Saudi Arabia.

Nawaz was brought from Muscat to Bangalore in a special flight last Friday by RAW, India’s external intelligence agency. He is now in the custody of the Anti- Terror Squad of the Karnataka police. His interrogation has yielded vital clues in the overseas funding for the terror network in Kerala.

Nawaz’s name cropped up during the questioning of Sainudheen alias Abdul Sattar who had been arrested by the Andhra police from Hyderabad. Sainudheen is now in the custody of the Karnataka ATS for his involvement in the Bangalore blasts.

It was suspected that Nawaz had funded the terrorist operations of the Kerala module of the Indian Mujahidheen. The needle of suspicion now points towards Basheer, known to be the fund-raiser for jihadi activities in India.

‘Express’ had earlier reported that the jihadi elements in the state received funds from Basheer, now operating from Saudi Arabia. He had formed an outfit, Muslim Defence Fund, to finance terror activities in India.

Basheer, who was the all-India president of SIMI in the 1980s, is suspected to be among the conspirators behind the 1993 Mumbai blasts. It was alleged that mafia don Dawood Ibrahim used Basheer to channel funds for the operation. Nawaz is expected to spill more beans on Basheer and his source(s) of funding.

Sources say Tadiyantavide Nazeer alias Umer Haji and Sabir alias Ayub, who are still at large, also have connections with elements operating outside the country. They hope to know more about these links once the two are arrested.

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