New Delhi, March 25
Indian Mujahideen kingpin Tehseen Akhtar (alias Monu), who headed the terror outfit’s operations in India, has finally landed in the police net. The arrest was made near the India-Nepal border.

The success came as part of an international operation undertaken with the help of two neighbouring countries. Akhtar’s four associates were arrested from Rajasthan on Sunday.

Sources said Akhtar was nabbed three days ago, but his arrest was announced today after his identity was established. Before being nabbed, Akhtar was trailed for a few days through human spotters and electronic surveillance.

Sources said the first tip-off about the IM module led by Akhtar came from Bangladesh and he was picked up from near the place from where IM operative Yasin Bhatkal was picked up from Nepal in August 2013.

The initial estimate of the police is that the group was planning to carry out terror attacks to derail the ongoing election process in India and the possible target could have been a top leader.

Special Commissioner of the Delhi Police (Special Cell) SN Srivastava said, “Akhtar was a close aide of Yasin Bhatkal who headed IM’s operations in India.” He, however, refused to corroborate if that module of the IM posed a threat to BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi. “It will be known once we interrogate him,” he said.

Minister of State for Home RPN Singh said, “Tehseen is one of the most wanted terrorists in India. It is a huge success in India’s war against terror.” Akhtar is said to be part of IM’s Darbhanga (Bihar) module. He is believed to have taken over the command of the outfit in India after Bhatkal’s arrest. Akhtar is also considered the brain behind the Bodh Gaya serial blasts that rocked the holy city on July 7 last year.