Author: Vicky Nanjappa
Publication: Rediff.com
Date: December 29, 2008
URL: http://www.rediff.com///news/2008/dec/29mumterror-missing-pieces-of-the-terror-jigsaw.htm
The Indian Mujahideen has become the face
of home-grown terror in India. While some key IM members have been arrested
by law enforcement agencies, its leaders continue to evade the security net.
While Mansoor Peerbhoy -- who allegedly sent
IM's e-mails ahead of the terror attacks in Delhi and Ahmedabad -- has been
arrested by the Mumbai police, Abdul Subhan, Riyaz Bhatkal, Iqbal Bhatkal,
Qayamuddin and Shadab Malik are still out there, likely planning their next
attack.
Intelligence Bureau officials told rediff.com
that these men matter most if the investigations into this year's terror attacks
have to progress. Terror groups work on a need-to-know basis and hence, it
is almost impossible to elicit complete information about the terror operation
from the foot soldiers who have been arrested so far.
Abdul Subhan, for instance, could provide
important leads into the IM's operations, even about any role the organisation
may have played in the Mumbai attacks, IB sources say.
The IB suspects Subhan may have slipped into
Pakistan.
Another big catch would be Riyaz Bhatkal,
who took charge of the IM's financing at the Lashkar-e-Tayiba's behest. While
some sources suggest he too may be in Pakistan, other investigators believe
he is still in India.
IB sources say Bhatkal, who has close Lashkar
ties, could shed light on how the Mumbai attacks were financed. He raised
funds and handled Lashkar operations in south India before he was re-assigned
to the IM. The Lashkar wanted his assistance to ensure IM's growth.
Investigations into the Hyderabad blasts of
August 2007 also suggest Bhatkal's hand.
Another man on the run is Qayammuddin, a key
member in the outlawed Students Islamic Movement of India. From him, the investigators
believe they could secure information pertaining to the terror trade route.
Iqbal Bhatkal, Riyaz's brother who helped
set up terror modules in south India, is suspected to be still in India.
Shadab Malik assembled the components for
the bombs used in the Delhi blasts. He is said to have collected the material
from someone only known as 'Sharukh Khan', likely a false name.
'Sharukh Khan', according to the police, had
a bomb factory in Karnataka, which supplied improvised explosive devices to
the IM.
When these terrorists are arrested, the law
enforcement agencies will obtain crucial insights on the terror modules operating
in north and south India. While the northern module is known as the Mahmood
Ghaznavi brigade, the southern module is known as the Shahabuddin Ghauri brigade.