A massive hunt is now on for the mastermind who has been identified as Ahmad Siddi Bappa, alias Imran, alias Shahrukh, alias Yashin, a resident of Bhatkal in Karnataka. Bappa is said to be heading the IM’s network in Southern India and is believed to have planned the Best Bakery blast and even the attack on foreign tourists outside Jama Masjid in the run up to the Commonwealth Games in 2010.
“There are certain leads and operation is currently on in various states across the country,’’a senior police official said. Though the police claims that it was Siddiqui who was initially picked up by the police but sources said Mohd. Adhil had been on the intelligence agencies radar for sometime now as he was living in India despite the expiry of his visa. Though he remained underground for long he was eventually picked up from Madhubani in Bihar. A resident of Karachi, he had arrived in India in August 2010 on the directions of Bhatkal brothers, Riaz and Iqbal, who are said to be in Pakistan.
Adhil, sources said, was instructed by the Bhatkal brothers to further strengthen IMs network and carryout subversive activities in the country. Following Adhil and Siddiqui’s interrogation the others were also picked up from different locations.
Sources said Siddiqui was the first to come in contacts with Bappa in 2008 following which he become an active member of IMs terror module. He helped Bappa in organising logistical support for various operations, including the Best Bakery blast. During interrogation Siddiuqi admitted that Bappa organised funds. “The funds were organized through the hawala network for which Adhil played a crucial role,’’an official remarked.
The arrest has led to recovery of large quantity of arms and ammunition, including two AK-47 rifles along with 50 cartridges, one 9mm pistol along with 14 live cartridges, 1.4 Kgs of black explosive material, 3.2 kgs of white explosive material, 350 gms granular off white explosive material, five detonators and fake notes of the face value of `2 lakh along with other incriminating material were recovered from the six arrested, he said. It is suspected some of the explosive material was RDX for which a forensic examination is being done.
“The police also claims to have recovered two fake passports, one forged identity card of the NCC and a fake driving licence in the name of Vivek Mishra were recovered,” he said.