Suspected Indian Mujahideen militant arrested in Lucknow

Lucknow, Sept 30 : Police have nabbed a suspect militant of the Indian Mujahideen outfit in Lucknow who was allegedly involved in the Ahmedabad and Lucknow blasts.

The suspect was identified as Mohammad Arif alias Abdul Kadeer, a native of Sanjarpur village in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh district.

"As per the information from our sources, Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested a person identified as Arif alias Kadeer from Charbagh railway station. In preliminary investigation, he has revealed that he is a member of Indian Mujahideen and he was involved in Ahmedabad and Lucknow blasts. He has revealed names of his other aides as well," said Vikram Singh, Director General of Police (DGP).

Azamgarh is being touted as the new breeding ground for militants. The intelligence agencies believe that the region is a hideout of many militant outfits.

At least 16 small bombs exploded in Ahmedabad on July 26, killing at least 29 people and wounding 88.

The Indian Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for several bomb attacks, including the Ahmedabad blasts in recent months.

Police have arrested several suspects in connection with several bombings in the country.

Terror had struck Uttar Pradesh on November 22 last year, when militants triggered near-simultaneous blasts in court premises in Lucknow, Faizabad and Varanasi, killing at least 13 and injuring over 59 others.

Six bombs - three in Varanasi, two in Faizabad and one in Lucknow - went off within a span of 15 minutes in the crowded court complexes.

ANI