NEW DELHI: Indian police have arrested a key suspect accused of co-ordinating the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks in which 166 people were killed and more than 300 wounded, media reports said Monday.
The Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency quoted unnamed police sources as confirming the arrest of Abu Hamza, also known as Sayed Zabiuddin, an Indian-born member of the militant group based in Pakistan, Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Hamza was allegedly one of the handlers based in Karachi, Pakistan who issued instructions by telephone to the 10 gunmen as they stormed two luxury hotels, a Jewish centre, a restaurant and a train station in Mumbai.
Hamza, who has used a string of aliases, was arrested at Delhi international airport on June 21 when he arrived from the Middle East and he has since been remanded in custody, PTI reported.
Pakistani national Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, the only gunman caught alive during the 60-hour assault on Mumbai in November 2008, was handed down a death sentence by the Bombay High Court last year.
PTI described Hamza as the 30-year-old “Hindi tutor” to the gunmen and said that he came from the western state of Maharashtra, of which Mumbai is the capital.
Delhi police spokesmen told AFP they were unable to immediately comment on reports about the arrest.
India blames the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant outfit, which is banned in Pakistan, for training, equipping and financing the Mumbai gunmen with support from “elements” in the Pakistan military.
Pakistan has indicted seven alleged perpetrators over the attacks but their trial, which began in 2009, has been beset by numerous delays triggering Indian accusations that the process is a sham.
The United States in April offered a $10 million reward for information leading to the conviction of Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba who lives openly in Pakistan and is accused of masterminding the Mumbai attacks.
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@gp65:
"But this arrest does serve one purpose. Whatever new terror attack this man was planning during his Indian visit will potentially be thwarted."
This guy did not arrive in India on a terror plot. He was apprehended by Saudi authorities and deported to India based on intelligence information of his involvement in the 26/11 massacre. He went to Saudi Arabia to hide after leaving Karachi after 26/11.
Quite a silence form Pakistani trolls on this one?
Good to know that in Pakistan, the brave Mr. Hamza is still only a suspect.
Here is more ionformation from Indian meadia on the arrest. "Mr. Ansari, the sources said, had been held by Saudi authorities earlier this year, travelling on a Pakistani passport identifying him as Riasat Ali. The sources said Mr. Ansari had travelled in Saudi Arabia early this year. The arrest, highly-placed government sources said, came after months of patient joint work involving India’s Intelligence Bureau and Saudi Arabia’s intelligence service, the Ri’asat al-Istikhbarat al-’Amah. Intelligence services in both countries, the sources said, had identified Mr. Ansari on the basis of intercepted phone communications. "
Who/which agency gave him the Pakistani passport to travel to Saudi Arabia ?
Abu Humza is another rung in the ladder which will lead straight to the top. If I were the top guy, I'd go into hiding right about now.
@gp65: He was deported from Saudi Arabia,where he was based.His voice was identified giviing instructions to the terrorists
He was nabbed in a Gulf country and brought back to India. India has extradition pact with several gulf countries which enables extradiction and capture of criminals. This is one such case. Often, for political reasons, the gulf countries do not want their name publicly disclosed. His interrogation will add more evidense against LeT masterminds.
@jssidhoo: "Hope this helps in nailing the real culprits and we are able to move ahead"
Pakistan courts have not convicted a single terrorist so we should not get our hopes up that this will help the cause of bringing the 26/11 terrorists to justice. But this arrest does serve one purpose. Whatever new terror attack this man was planning during his Indian visit will potentially be thwarted.
Where is the evidence ?
I am saving the trouble for you guys !!
Hamza seems to be a great name for terrorists.
Hope this helps in nailing the real culprits and we are able to move ahead