Abdul Wahid Siddibapa, a resident of Bhatkal in Karnataka, was held after his arrival from Dubai. (Representational Photo)
Terror outfit Indian Mujahideen's (IM) oldest operative and key fund raiser was today arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.
32-year-old Abdul Wahid Siddibapa, a resident of Bhatkal in Karnataka, was held after his arrival from Dubai, NIA officials said.
Mr Abdul is a close relative of Riyaz Bhatkal and Yasin Bhatkal, co-founders of IM, and was involved in providing tactical and financial support to the terror group in planning and organising its activities, they said.
"It is a big catch for the agency. His interrogation can lead to many vital inputs about the IM's activities and arrest of many other operatives," a senior NIA official said.
Mr Abdul was based in Dubai and was allegedly recruiting people for IM from there. He was playing a very important role in raising funds for running the terrorists organisation and for commission of terrorists acts in India, he said, adding that Mr Abdul funded the outfit's activities from there.
Mr Abdul was wanted in a case pertaining to a conspiracy by the IM to attack various places in India. He was held on the basis of a warrant of arrest and a Red Corner Notice already issued against him, the agency's official said.
He was produced before a special court today which sent him to seven days custody of NIA.