Abdul Subhan Qureshi: Most Wanted Terrorist, Known As "India's Bin Laden", Arrested

An Indian Mujahideen operative, termed the "Bin Laden of India" and the allegedly mastermind of the 2008 Gujarat serial blasts that killed 56 persons was arrested in Delhi after a brief gunfight. (Photo: PTI)

He is accused of plotting the serial blasts in Ahmedabad on July 26, 2008 when as many as 21 bombs planted in tiffin boxes and motor cycles went off in busy markets and bus stations. Over 200 persons were also injured. The toll could have gone up but 29 of the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) failed to explode due to various technical reasons. (Photo: PTI)

Qureshi, 39, was arrested from Gazipur area in east Delhi on Saturday night following an exchange of fire when he came to meet one of his old associates. (Photo: PTI)

"Carrying a reward of Rs 4 lakh on his head declared by National Investigation Agency (NIA), Qureshi, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Rampur, wanted to revive the Indian Mujahideen in various states including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka," Deputy Commissioner of Police Pramod Singh Kushwaha said.

Qureshi had laid the foundation of Indian Mujahideen with Riyaz Bhatkal and some radicalised youth outfits, said Kushwaha, adding that he had gone to Pune in connection with the planning of Gujarat bomb blasts. After his accomplice and SIMI chief Safdar Nagori and 11 others were arrested in Indore in 2008, he escaped to Gujrat and later made crossed over to Nepal, where he had staying since then on a fake identity.

The arrested IM leader had organized four training camps during 2007-2008 in Madhya Pradesh, Karala, Gujarat and Karnataka where he, with his other accomplices, trained his cadres to go to war, or fight jihad, against the Indian establishment, he said. Image: Abdul Subhan Qureshi (Photo: PTI)