Yasin Bhatkal of the Indian Mujahideen, arguably the most wanted terrorist in the country right now, has been on the run since intelligence agencies smashed the IM’s Darbhanga module, leading to the arrest of 10 key operatives across India.
During custodial interrogation Mohammed Qafeel Ahmed, picked up from Darbhanga, claimed Bhatkal is extremely secretive about his functioning and that he has the capacity to carry out 13/2 type terror strikes. In fact, Qafeel even told investigators that the possibility of Bhatkal’s involvement in the attack on the Israeli diplomat in New Delhi is even higher as he is closely associated with both the LeT and the Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami.
An official involved in the investigations said: “Qafeel is not able to say with certainty whether Bhatkal is involved in this particular case or not as Bhatkal never shared operational details with modules, telling them things only on a need-to-know basis. As a result one module would not know what the other was doing or who are the people in different modules. But having worked closely with Bhatkal, and knowing him well, Qafeel is very certain that his involvement cannot be ruled out.”
Various investigating agencies involved in the probe have already questioned key IM operatives lodged in various jails. Qafeel also claimed Bhatkal has developed a good network both in Nepal and Bangladesh and has sleeper cells in important Indian cities. “In fact, Qafeel confirmed during questioning that the vast network of banned outfit Simi is now being used by the IM,” the official added. The IM, Qafeel disclosed, has no dearth of funds as the terror outfit continues to get substantial amounts of money through the hawala route from Pakistan.