Abu Dhabi: An Indian Mujahideen (IM) terrorist accused of funding bomb blasts in India was arrested in Abu Dhabi last week, Indian media has reported.

The suspect, believed to be Abdul Wahid Siddibapa, 32, who is also a kin of Mujahideen founder Yasin Batkal, is claimed to have been living here for 10 years and is said to have various business interests, according to Indian security agencies quoted by the media.

He was arrested during a recent visit to Abu Dhabi.

Indian security agencies, helped by Interpol, are verifying the antecedents of the man, and are awaiting a response from their Abu Dhabi counterparts, reported the daily Indian Express.

Once the identity of the suspect is established, India will work on his extradition, said the report.

The Indian embassy here neither confirmed or denied the arrest. T.P. Seetharam, Indian ambassador, told XPRESS there is an increased level of cooperation between the UAE and Indian security forces to combat terrorism.

Security issues

“I cannot comment on the arrest, but I can tell you Indian and UAE security forces are cooperating at high levels on many security-related issues,” he said. An Interpol red corner notice against Siddibapa says he is wanted by India for alleged involvement in the July 2006 Mumbai blasts, the 2008 Delhi blasts and the 2010 Chinnaswamy Stadium blasts in Bengaluru.

Criminal conspiracy, waging war against the country, punishment for terrorist acts, raising funds for terrorist acts, recruiting any person or persons for terrorist acts, conspiracy, member of a terrorist gang/organisation are the main charges against him, according to his profile on the ‘wanted’ list on Interpol’s website.

Wiring funds

Siddibapa, who hails from the coastal town of Bhatkal in the South Indian state of Karnataka, is alleged to have wired funds to India ahead of the blasts.

Siddibapa reportedly used the alias ‘Khan’ and this alias was mentioned in chats between Yasin and IM co-founder Riyaz Bhatkal.

Yasin was arrested on the India-Nepal border along with IM operative Asadullah Akhtar.

Riyaz is believed to be operating from another country.