Gujarat cops nab ‘terror’ cleric from IGI airport
25 March 2014 7:10 PM GMT
He was arrested for his alleged role in the 2003 jihadist conspiracy allegedly hatched by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad to avenge the 2002 post-Godhra riots. Talking to Millennium Post over the phone, Gujarat police crime branch inspector MD Chaudhary said Maulana was arrested at 10 pm on Sunday from IGI airport and was produced in the local court in Bahruch , Gujarat, which sent him to 14 days police remand.
It is alleged that Qavi has been sending Muslim boys from Hyderabad for terror training in Pakistan, one of whom – Asgar Ali – had allegedly killed Haren Pandya, former home minister of Gujarat on 16 March, 2003. Chaudhary also said that Maulana was wanted in the case of jihadi conspiracy after the 2002 Gujarat riot. ‘We received a tip off that Qavi was going to Delhi en route to attend a religious event called ‘Deeni Madarais’ at the Darool Uloom, Deoband in Uttar Pradesh. The team apprehended him,’ said Chaudhary.
The arrest came after top Indian Mujahideen terrorist Zia Ur Rehman, alias Waqas, a Pakistani national, wanted in connection with several bombings. Three associates were arrested from Rajasthan on Sunday by Delhi Police which claimed to have averted a ‘spectacular terror attack’ during elections. He was arrested outside Ajmer Railway Station when he alighted from a train which came from Bandra, Mumbai.
‘Rehman, a dreaded terrorist, exported by Pakistan based ISI, is wanted in a series of bombings carried out all over India along with his absconding associates,’ special commissioner (Special Cell) SN Shrivastava told reporters, adding it was a ‘major catch’.
It is alleged that Qavi has been sending Muslim boys from Hyderabad for terror training in Pakistan, one of whom – Asgar Ali – had allegedly killed Haren Pandya, former home minister of Gujarat on 16 March, 2003. Chaudhary also said that Maulana was wanted in the case of jihadi conspiracy after the 2002 Gujarat riot. ‘We received a tip off that Qavi was going to Delhi en route to attend a religious event called ‘Deeni Madarais’ at the Darool Uloom, Deoband in Uttar Pradesh. The team apprehended him,’ said Chaudhary.
The arrest came after top Indian Mujahideen terrorist Zia Ur Rehman, alias Waqas, a Pakistani national, wanted in connection with several bombings. Three associates were arrested from Rajasthan on Sunday by Delhi Police which claimed to have averted a ‘spectacular terror attack’ during elections. He was arrested outside Ajmer Railway Station when he alighted from a train which came from Bandra, Mumbai.
‘Rehman, a dreaded terrorist, exported by Pakistan based ISI, is wanted in a series of bombings carried out all over India along with his absconding associates,’ special commissioner (Special Cell) SN Shrivastava told reporters, adding it was a ‘major catch’.
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