india

Updated: May 21, 2016 07:54 IST

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday arrested a wanted terror suspect after he arrived at the Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International airport from the UAE.

Abdul Wahid Siddibapa is allegedly associated with the terror outfit Indian Mujahideen (IM), say NIA officials.

He has been accused of providing material help for terror activities in India while operating from his base in the UAE.

Believed to be a brother -in-law of key IM kingpin Riyaz Bhatkal, Wahid was first arrested in Abu Dhabi in January 2014. However, rather than being deported immediately, the UAE authorities asked India to seek his formal extradition. By the time Indian documents reached a court in Abu Dhabi, he was already out on bail.

Indian officials suspected intense diplomatic pressure from Pakistan to stall his deportation or extradition.

Sources say it was claimed that Wahid is a Pakistani national but finally India managed to convince the local authorities that he was a wanted terror suspect in India.

Originally, a native of Bhatkal in Karnataka, Wahid is also related to Yasin Bhatkal who is another alleged key operative of the IM.

“The NIA was informed about his arrival from a foreign country and after he landed here he was put under arrest. He was later produced before a court which remanded him in seven-day NIA custody,” said a senior NIA official requesting anonymity.

NIA sources say it was carefully calibrated intelligence-led operation in which Wahid was almost lured to India. Wahid is considered one of the oldest members of the IM and he has been instrumental in providing funding, tactical and other support to his associates in India, said another NIA official.