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{{Short description|Terrorist organization in South Asia primarily India}}
'''Indian Mujahideen''' is the name of a ] group in ], that has claimed the responsibility of several attacks against civilian targets in ].<ref>. Retrieved on ]</ref>
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox militant organization
| name = Indian Mujahideen
| logo =
| caption =
| foundation = 2003
| dates = 2005–
| founding_leader = Amir Reza Khan<br/>]<br/>]<br/>] (−2013)<br/>] (−2018)<br/>Sadiq Israr Sheikh (−2008)
| leader =
| area =
| ideology = ]<br />]<br/>]<br />
]
| crimes =
| attacks =
| status = {{flagicon|India}} Designated as ] organisation under the ] (4 June 2010)<ref name="IndiaTerrorList">{{cite web|url=http://www.mha.nic.In/uniquepage.asp?Id_Pk=292|title=Terrorism Act 2000|publisher=]|access-date=20 May 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510212307/http://mha.nic.in/uniquepage.asp?id_pk=292|archive-date=10 May 2012}}</ref><br />{{flagicon|NZ}} Designated terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002 (22 October 2010)<ref name="New Zealand bans Indian Mujahideen">{{cite news|title=New Zealand bans Indian Mujahideen|url=http://www.indiannewslink.co.nz/41624.5/index.php/homelink/new-zealand-bans-indian-mujahideen.html|access-date=5 July 2012|newspaper=Indian NewsLink|date=31 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124021450/http://www.indiannewslink.co.nz/41624.5/index.php/homelink/new-zealand-bans-indian-mujahideen.html|archive-date=24 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />{{flagicon|US}} Designated ] (15 September 2011)<ref name="Terrorist Designations of the Indian Mujahideen">{{cite web|title=Terrorist Designations of the Indian Mujahideen|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/09/172442.htm|publisher=US Dept of State|access-date=2 June 2012|archive-date=27 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527133057/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/09/172442.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><br />{{flagicon|UK}} Banned by the ]<br />{{flagicon|UAE}} Designated as terrorist organization<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/list-of-terror-groups-published-by-uae-1.1413219|title=List of terror groups published by UAE|website=gulfnews.com|date=16 November 2014|access-date=4 July 2020|archive-date=28 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328042440/https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/list-of-terror-groups-published-by-uae-1.1413219|url-status=live}}</ref><br/>
{{flagicon|Canada}} Designated as a terrorist organization
| size =
| revenue =
| financing =
| partof = ] (allegedly)
| allies = ]<br/>]<br/>]<br/>]<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909070625/https://www.start.umd.edu/baad/database/indian-mujahideen-2012 |date=9 September 2022 }}. ].</ref>
| opponents =
}}
'''Indian Mujahideen''' ('''IM''') is an ] which has been particularly active in India.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730023558/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080058894&ch=7%2F27%2F2008%208%3A10%3A00%20AM |date=30 July 2008 }}. 2008–07–27. ].</ref> The jihadist group was founded as an offshoot of the ] (SIMI) by several radicalized members including ], ], ], ], Amir Reza Khan and Sadiq Israr Sheikh, among others.{{Efn|All three are from ] in the ] state of India, hence their nickname "Bhatkal".<ref name="nl"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415071244/https://www.newslaundry.com/2018/05/19/karnataka-bhatkal-commerce-religion-nawayath-namdhari-identity-politics |date=15 April 2023 }}. 19 May, 2018. '']''.</ref>}}{{Efn|name=Amir Reza|Amir Reza Khan is from Kolkata and carried out the ] and the ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819084700/http://mantraya.org/profile-amir-reza-khan-of-indian-mujahideen/ |date=19 August 2022 }}. ''Mantraya''.</ref>}}<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Indian Mujahideen |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Indian-Mujahideen |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=The Times of India |language=en |archive-date=19 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819030015/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Indian-Mujahideen |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Joshi |first=Sandeep |date=2013-08-29 |title=It took six months to pin him down |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/it-took-six-months-to-pin-him-down/article5072606.ece |access-date=2022-08-19 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=19 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819030015/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/it-took-six-months-to-pin-him-down/article5072606.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=A Profile of Iqbal Bhatkal: The First Indian Mujahideen Leader Added to India's Most Wanted List |url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/506c257b2.html |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=Refworld |publisher=] |language=en |archive-date=15 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915182811/https://www.refworld.org/docid/506c257b2.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It has been active since at least 2005 when it bombed the ] in ] (where eight people were injured).<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2018-01-24 |title=A short history of the Indian Mujahideen |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/a-short-history-of-the-indian-mujahideen-terror-attacks-abdul-subhan-qureshi-5036679/ |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=23 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123225533/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/a-short-history-of-the-indian-mujahideen-terror-attacks-abdul-subhan-qureshi-5036679/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It carried out several serial-bombings in Indian cities in the following years notably the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ],{{Efn|name=patna|The Patna bombings targeted a rally of the then Prime Ministerial candidate ].}} ] and the ].<ref name=":1" />


Investigators believe that Indian Mujahideen is one of many groups composed of lower-tier SIMI members. According to the Indian ], SIMI took new titles because the top leadership of SIMI have been detained and would be available for interrogation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nanjappa |first=Vicky |date=27 July 2008 |title=Investigators say Indian Mujahideen is SIMI, V2.0 |work=] |url=http://specials.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/27sld1.htm |access-date=29 July 2008 |archive-date=7 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407100520/http://specials.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/27sld1.htm |url-status=live }}, Retrieved on 07–29–2008</ref> The change in names is believed to signal a change in tactics as SIMI-affiliated militants attempt to garner more support from India's Muslim community rather than be seen as a group consisting of foreigners.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nanjappa |first=Vicky |date=29 July 2008 |title=Revealed: Indian Mujahideen'S two-pronged terror strategy |work=] |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/29ahd4.htm |access-date=29 July 2008 |archive-date=30 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730151020/http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/29ahd4.htm |url-status=live }}, Retrieved on 07–29–2008</ref> Two days after the 13 May 2008 Jaipur bombings, the extremist group<ref>"", ], 14 May 2008. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706082546/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hIA4Jrf22A_LF8AAsPgwjxgZviVw|date=6 July 2008}}</ref> sent an e-mail to Indian media in which they claimed responsibility for the attacks<ref name="IndiaToday-video">" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107160643/http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content |date=7 January 2009 }}</ref> and said they would "demolish the faiths (all religions apart from Islam) of the ]s of India."<ref name="TheAustralian-expel">" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116062803/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23718469-2703,00.html|date=16 January 2009}}", '']'', 19 May 2008.</ref> The biggest and boldest attack to date by the group was the ], where it gained national notoriety with a casualty of more than 50 people.
Believed to be a "shadow amalgam of the ] and ]", the Indian Mujahideen have been declared a "terrorist" organization, and membership in the group has been banned in India.<ref>" ''Times of India". Retrieved on ].</ref>


The group has been linked with the jihadist ] and its backer Pakistan's ]. ] is also closely linked with the group and was instrumental in its founding.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Profile: Amir Reza Khan of Indian Mujahideen |url=http://mantraya.org/profile-amir-reza-khan-of-indian-mujahideen/ |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=Mantraya |language=en-US |archive-date=19 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819084700/http://mantraya.org/profile-amir-reza-khan-of-indian-mujahideen/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Investigators believe that Indian Mujahideen is one of many groups composed of lower-tier ] members. According to the Indian ], SIMI took new titles at the urging of Pakistan's ] and because the top leadership of SIMI has been detained and would be available for interrogation.<ref>{{cite news
|title= Investigators say Indian Mujahideen is SIMI, V2.0
|first= Vicky
|last= Nanjappa
|url= http://specials.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/27sld1.htm
|date= 07-27-2008
|publisher= ]}}, Retrieved on 07-29-2008
</ref> The change in names is also believed to signal a change in tactics as SIMI-affiliated militants attempt to garner more support from India's Muslim community rather than be seen as a group consisting of foreigners.<ref>{{cite news
|title= Revealed: Indian Mujahideen's two-pronged terror strategy
|first= Vicky
|last= Nanjappa
|url= http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/29ahd4.htm
|date= 07-29-2008
|publisher= ]}}, Retrieved on 07-29-2008
</ref>


Two of the founding leaders, Iqbal Bhatkal and Riyaz Bhatkal, shifted to ] in the aftermath of the ] in 2008 and remain active from there, operating a faction of the group. Amir Reza Khan also fled to Karachi and is reported to run his own IM module from there.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> Yasin Bhatkal was apprehended in 2013 and was sentenced to death in 2016 for the 2013 Hyderabad blasts; Abdul Subhan Qureshi was similarly apprehended in 2018.<ref name="manhunt">{{Cite news |title=Abdul Subhan Qureshi: 2008 Gujarat blasts mastermind arrested after decade-long manhunt &#124; India News – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2008-gujarat-blasts-mastermind-arrested-after-decade-long-manhunt/articleshow/62600348.cms |website=The Times of India |date=22 January 2018 |access-date=12 January 2021 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109042925/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2008-gujarat-blasts-mastermind-arrested-after-decade-long-manhunt/articleshow/62600348.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>
Two days after the ], the ] group<ref>"", ], ], ].</ref> sent an e-mail to Indian media in which they claimed responsibility for the attacks<ref name = "IndiaToday-video">"", ], ], ].</ref> and said they would "demolish the faith (]) of the ]s of India".<ref name = "TheAustralian-expel">"", ], ], ].</ref>


After multiple Indian Mujahideen bomb blasts in different cities of India over the years, many of which were claimed by the group itself, it was declared a terrorist organisation on 4 June 2010 and banned by the ].<ref>{{cite web| title=Indian Mujahideen declared a terrorist organisation| url=http://www.ndtv.com/news/india/indian-mujahideen-declared-a-terrorist-organisation-29840.php| work=NDTV News| access-date=4 June 2010| archive-date=26 January 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126015556/http://www.ndtv.com/news/india/indian-mujahideen-declared-a-terrorist-organisation-29840.php| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Deccan Herald">{{cite web | url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/73373/indian-mujahideen-declared-terrorist-outfit.html | title=Indian Mujahideen declared as terrorist outfit | work=Deccan Herald | date=4 June 2010 | access-date=11 January 2012 | archive-date=24 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124161058/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/73373/indian-mujahideen-declared-terrorist-outfit.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="List of Organisations">{{cite web | url=http://www.mha.nic.In/uniquepage.asp?ID_PK=292 | title=List of Organisations Declared as Terrorist Organisations Under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 | publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India | access-date=11 January 2012 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510212307/http://mha.nic.in/uniquepage.asp?id_pk=292 | archive-date=10 May 2012}}</ref> On 22 October 2010, ] declared it a terrorist organisation.<ref name="New Zealand bans Indian Mujahideen" /> In September 2011, the ] officially placed the Indian Mujahideen on its ], with the State Department acknowledging that the group had engaged in several terrorist attacks in India and had regional aspirations with the ultimate aim of creating an "Islamic ]" across ].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/253036/%C2%B5s-places-indian-mujahideen-on-terror-list/| title=US places Indian Mujahideen on terror list| work=The Express Tribune| date=15 September 2011| access-date=16 September 2011| archive-date=4 September 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904160653/http://tribune.com.pk/story/253036/%C2%B5s-places-indian-mujahideen-on-terror-list/| url-status=live}}</ref> The group was banned by the ] as it aimed at creating an ] and implementing ] law in India, by use of indiscriminate violence.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/uk-bans-indian-mujahideen-239945?pfrom=home-world| title= UK bans Indian Mujahideen| date= 6 July 2012| access-date= 6 July 2012| archive-date= 7 April 2020| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200407100519/http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/uk-bans-indian-mujahideen-239945?pfrom=home-world| url-status= dead}}</ref>{{Campaignbox India terrorism}}
The biggest and boldest attack to date by the group was the ], where it gained national notoriety with a casualty count towards 50.<p>
This group also claimed to be responsible for the ].


== Background ==
==Attacks claimed by Indian Mujahideen==
The group was founded as the merger of ]'s Usaba based in ] (where ], ] and ] come from) and Asif Reza Commando Force which had been founded by Amir Reza Khan{{Efn|name=Amir Reza}} (in the name of his brother who had died in a shootout with the police) and had carried out the ].<ref name=":2" /> Most of its recruits are from SIMI of which the IM is largely an offshoot of. It was founded in 2003 and first became active in 2005, it adopted the name "Indian Mujahideen" in emails after the ].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4">{{cite book |author1=Dr V Balasubramaniyan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7JgtDwAAQBAJ |title=Terror Funds in India: Money Behind Mayhem |author2=Dr SV Raghavan |date=2017 |publisher=] |isbn=9788170623168 |pages=}}</ref>
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]


The ] also played an instrumental role in the founding of the group and had earlier been involved with the Asif Reza Commando Force. The ] also provided crucial support in IM's founding.<ref name=":1" />
==See also==

* ]
The ] in 2008, when several IM members were arrested, first brought to light the leadership of the jihadist group.<ref name=":1" />
* ]

Its signature weapons are timed ] (IEDs) made from ], which it has used in most of its major attacks.<ref name=":1" />

=== Factionalism ===
Riyaz Bhatkal and Amir Reza Khan both run their own factions of the group from Karachi, while Iqbal is not currently active in the group's operations.<ref name=":1" />

Indian Mujahideen members are also known to have joined the ], as shown in one of their propaganda videos titled "The Bilad al-Hind – Between Pain and Hope".<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Does Islamic State Pose a Threat to India? |url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/595f4d3d4.html |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=Refworld, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |language=en |archive-date=15 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915202633/https://www.refworld.org/docid/595f4d3d4.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2016-05-24 |title=UP Police confirm, 2 suspected Indian Mujahideen fugitives in Islamic State video |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/indian-mujahideen-fugitives-islamic-state-video-nia-intelligence-services-2816100/ |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=20 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820170008/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/indian-mujahideen-fugitives-islamic-state-video-nia-intelligence-services-2816100/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ] and Sultan Armar, brothers and former IM members from Bhatkal, founded ] affiliates Ansar-ut Tawhid fi Bilad al-Hind ({{Trans|Supporters of Monotheism in the Land of India}}) and Janood-ul-Khalifa-e-Hind ({{Trans|Caliph's Army of India}}) encouraging Indian Muslim recruitment for jihad in Syria and Afghanistan. The Armar brothers had split from Indian Mujahideen and formed these affiliates after a rift developed between them and Iqbal and Riyaz Bhatkal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Janood-ul-Khalifa-e-Hind / Army of Caliph of India (Islamic State India/ ISI / ISISI) |url=https://trackingterrorism.org/group/janood-ul-khalifa-e-hind-army-caliph-india/ |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium |language=en-US |archive-date=20 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820170008/https://trackingterrorism.org/group/janood-ul-khalifa-e-hind-army-caliph-india/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ansar-ut Tawhid fi Bilad al-Hind (AuT) |url=https://trackingterrorism.org/group/ansar-ut-tawhid-fi-bilad-al-hind-aut/ |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium |language=en-US |archive-date=20 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820170009/https://trackingterrorism.org/group/ansar-ut-tawhid-fi-bilad-al-hind-aut/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Members ==
It is suspected that these are the major leaders of the Indian Mujahideen group.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15621&Itemid=1&issueid=72&sectionid=30&limit=1&limitstart=0 |title=The new terror: IN THIS ISSUE – India Today |publisher=Indiatoday.digitaltoday.in |date=2008-09-18 |access-date=2013-08-19 |archive-date=1 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201043605/http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15621&Itemid=1&issueid=72&sectionid=30&limit=1&limitstart=0 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Leaders ===
* ], co-founder, from ]; absconding in ]<ref name=":1" />
* ], co-founder, from Bhatkal; absconding in Karachi<ref name=":1" />
* Amir Reza Khan, co-founder; absconding in Karachi<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
* ], co-founder; from Bhatkal, under arrest<ref name=":1" />
* ] alias Tauqeer, under arrest: co-founder, a software engineer from ]; expert in bomb-making<ref name=":1" />
* Sadiq Israr Sheikh, co-founder; engineering graduate from ], under arrest, suspect in the ]<ref name="SayedHakim2016">{{cite book |author1=Nazia Sayed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2nEgDQAAQBAJ |title=Six Minutes of Terror: The Untold Story of the 7/11 Mumbai Train Blasts |author2=Sharmin Hakim |date=12 September 2016 |publisher=] |isbn=9789386057525 |pages=}}</ref><ref name=":4" />
* Mohsin Ismail Chaudhary, IED expert from Pune; absconding in Karachi<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Profile: Mohsin Chaudhary of Indian Mujahideen |url=http://mantraya.org/profile-mohsin-chaudhary-of-indian-mujahideen/ |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=Mantraya |language=en-US |archive-date=19 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819084700/http://mantraya.org/profile-mohsin-chaudhary-of-indian-mujahideen/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Mirza Shadab Beg, IM operational planner; absconding in Pakistan<ref>{{Cite web |title=Profile: Mirza Shadaab Beg of Indian Mujahideen |url=https://mantraya.org/profile-mirza-shadab-beg-of-indian-mujahideen/ |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=Mantraya |language=en-US |archive-date=11 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111211836/https://mantraya.org/profile-mirza-shadab-beg-of-indian-mujahideen/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Dr Shahnawaz, ] doctor; absconding in Afghanistan<ref name=":1" />

=== Others ===
* ], under arrest: architect of the transformation from SIMI to Indian Mujahideen
* ], IED expert, joined the ] from SIMI, suicide-bomber in the ]
* ], under arrest, joined the Lashkar-e-Taiba from IM, accused in the ]
* ], former IM member from Bhatkal, later ] operative, killed in Syria in 2015<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-25 |title=When did IS terrorist Shafi Armar die: 2019 or 2016? |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/when-did-is-terrorist-armar-die-2019-or-2016/story-zZDTJqhOtoU8FNN00Z8SGN.html |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=20 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820170007/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/when-did-is-terrorist-armar-die-2019-or-2016/story-zZDTJqhOtoU8FNN00Z8SGN.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Nanjappa |first=Vicky |date=2019-03-26 |title=Bhatkal's Armar brothers who ran the Indian Islamic State confirmed dead |url=https://www.oneindia.com/india/bhatkals-armar-brothers-who-ran-the-indian-islamic-state-confirmed-dead-2869576.html |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=20 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820170007/https://www.oneindia.com/india/bhatkals-armar-brothers-who-ran-the-indian-islamic-state-confirmed-dead-2869576.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Sultan Armar, former IM member from Bhatkal, later ISIS operative, killed in Syria in 2015<ref name=":6" />
* Muhammad "Bada" Sajid, IM member, joined ISIS, killed in Syria in 2015<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-07-04 |title=Muhammad Sajid, Indian Mujahideen serial bombing suspect, killed in Syria conflict: Jihadi websites |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/indian-mujahideen-serial-bombing-suspect-killed-in-syria-fighting-jihadi-websites/ |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=20 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820170007/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/indian-mujahideen-serial-bombing-suspect-killed-in-syria-fighting-jihadi-websites/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Abu Rashid Ahmed, IM member, joined ISIS<ref name=":5" />
* Mufti Abu Bashir, under arrest: a preacher from ] in ]
* Qayamuddin Kapadia, under arrest: a trader from ], started the first-ever mosque of the ] in Vadodara
* Sajid Mansuri, under arrest: a graduate in psychology and formerly a marketing executive
* Usman Agarbattiwala, wanted: a ] holder from Vadodara in human rights
* Alamzeb Afridi, wanted: a jobless youth from ]; purchased bicycles and then planted them in Ahmedabad after tying bombs
* Abdul Razik Mansuri, wanted: an embroidery unit owner
* Mujib Shaikh, wanted: a stone polishing artisan
* Zahid Shaikh, wanted: a mobile phone repair shop owner from Ahmedabad
* Amil Parwaz, wanted: a native of ], believed to be involved in the court ]

=== Delhi group ===
The local group at ] is thought to include the following,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080066256|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925092759/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080066256|url-status=dead|title=The terror thirteen of Indian Mujahideen|archivedate=25 September 2008}}</ref> most of them from ]:
* Mohammad Atif Amin aka Bashir: Planner and recruiter, killed in the ] on 19 September. Planted a bomb at M-block market in ]-I, Delhi in the ] and ] bombs in the ].
* Mohammed "Chota" Sajid aka Pankaj: killed during the ]. Planted a bomb at Barakhamba Road in Connaught Place.
* Mohammad Saif: arrested from Batla House in Jamia Nagar after the 19 September encounter. Planted a bomb at ] in ].
* Zeeshan: arrested after the Jamia Nagar encounter. Planted a bomb at ] in Connaught Place.
* Junaid: Escaped during the ]. Planted a bomb at M-block market in Greater Kailash-I, and Varanasi bombs.
* Mohammad Shakeel: arrested on 21 September, 2008 from Jamia Nagar. Planted a bomb at ] in south Delhi.
* Zia-ur-Rehman: arrested on 21 September, 2008 from Jamia Nagar. Planted a bomb at Connaught Place and on a cycle in Ahmedabad in the ].
* Saqib Nisar: arrested on 21 September, 2008 from Jamia Nagar.
* Shahzad alias Pappu: arrested, from Azamgarh by UP ]. He escaped during the Jamia Nagar encounter. Planted a bomb in Central Park, Connaught Place.
* Alihas Malik: wanted. Planted a bomb at Central Park, Connaught Place.
* Mohammad Khalif: wanted.
* Salman: arrested by the Special Cell of the ].

== Attacks ==
The group has carried out several serial bombings in Indian cities. There were emails sent by the Indian Mujahideen that claimed that they were responsible for some of the following terror incidents. One warning email was received 5 minutes before the first blast in Ahmedabad. Another was received soon after the first blast of Delhi bombings. The timing makes it impossible for any other groups to have sent the two emails. The following are attacks where it has claimed responsibility or is suspected of involvement:<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=GTD Search Results |url=https://www.start.umd.edu/gtd/search/Results.aspx?expanded=no&casualties_type=b&casualties_max=&dtp2=all&success=yes&perpetrator=30036&ob=GTDID&od=desc&page=1&count=100#results-table |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=] |archive-date=19 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819091244/https://www.start.umd.edu/gtd/search/Results.aspx?expanded=no&casualties_type=b&casualties_max=&dtp2=all&success=yes&perpetrator=30036&ob=GTDID&od=desc&page=1&count=100#results-table |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ]
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* ]<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/blog/2011/jul/13/mumbai-blasts#block-6 | location=London | work=The Guardian | first1=Haroon | last1=Siddique | first2=Barry | last2=Neild | title=Mumbai blasts − Wednesday 13 July 2011 | date=13 July 2011 | access-date=17 December 2016 | archive-date=6 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306023825/http://www.theguardian.com/world/blog/2011/jul/13/mumbai-blasts#block-6 | url-status=live }}</ref>
* ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/serial-blasts-bodhgaya-in-bihar-mahabodhi-temple/1/287300.html|title=Suspected IM member arrested in Kolkata for Bodh Gaya terror attack|work=India Today|date=7 July 2013 |access-date=20 May 2015|archive-date=28 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128132010/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/serial-blasts-bodhgaya-in-bihar-mahabodhi-temple/1/287300.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
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* ]{{Efn|name=patna}}
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* 2018 Bodh Gaya blasts<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-12-18 |title=Bodh Gaya blast: 3 terrorists get life term, 5 others 10-year rigorous imprisonment |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/bodh-gaya-blast-3-terrorists-get-life-term-5-others-10-yr-ri/articleshow/88347202.cms |access-date=2024-05-13 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

== Suspects and arrests ==
Mufti Abu Bashir Ishlahi alias Abdul Wasir was arrested with the help of ] at his father's home at ] in ], Uttar Pradesh on 14 August 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Hang-him-if-He-is-a-terrorist-says-Abu-Bashirs-father/350069/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916081100/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Hang-him-if-He-is-a-terrorist-says-Abu-Bashirs-father/350069/|url-status=dead|title="Hang him if he is a terrorist, says Abu Bashir's father"|archivedate=16 September 2012}}</ref> Bashir studied in the local Madarsatul Islah and later in ]. According to the reports, Bashir claimed that the ] cost Rs 75,000. A SIMI activist sold his house in ] to get the amount.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.inewsindia.com/2008/08/22/mufti-abu-bashir-admits-involvement-In-ahmedabad-blasts-police/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129172137/http://www.inewsindia.com/2008/08/22/mufti-abu-bashir-admits-involvement-In-ahmedabad-blasts-police/|url-status=dead|title="Mufti Abu Bashir admits involvement In Ahmedabad blasts: Police!"|archivedate=29 January 2013}}</ref> Bashir, who had stayed in Ahmedabad along with ] alias Tauqeer, a co-conspirator, had bought five SIM cards using local names and addresses.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=The art of mastering SIMple cards |url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/The−art-of-mastering-SIMple−cards/352302/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410191816/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/The%E2%88%92art-of-mastering-SIMple%E2%88%92cards/352302/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 April 2013 |website=] }}</ref> He had used these cell phone numbers to remain in touch with the other members of the module at the planning stage of the conspiracy. Bashir had given the SIM cards to the bomb planters on 26 July, who had used them carefully. Each member had contacted the others through ]-] booths after successfully planting the bombs. These numbers were used only for receiving calls. Many of the calls were from ], where Zahid Shaikh, one of the key members of the group, lived at Sandhi Avenue near the ] highway. These numbers had become inactive immediately after the blasts.<ref name=":3" />

In March 2014, the Special Cell of the ] arrested four members of IM, out of which one was Waqas alias Javed, a bomb-making expert in the group. They were arrested in ] and ] in ].

On 28 August 2013, in a major breakthrough, Yasin Bhatkal, co-founder of IM, and another IM terrorist were arrested by Indian Police and ] near the ]. According to ] police, the breakthrough in the ] case came from five 'switched-off' ] numbers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Five SIM cards gave us the vital clues |url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article&sectid=3&contentid=2008081720080817024615917ad002C3c |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024183614/http://mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?Page=article |archive-date=24 October 2007 |access-date=5 February 2013}}</ref> ] (crime) Ashish Bhatia said that the terrorists had procured five ]s of phones that were switched off on the day of the blasts – 26 July. The analysis of the phone calls made to those SIM cards from ] provided them the key leads.

Ejaz Sheikh, wanted in several cases including the ], was arrested on 6 September 2014 from the ] area of western Uttar Pradesh by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police. He is considered a "technical expert" and considered a key member of IM.

== Batla House encounter ==
{{Main|Batla House encounter case}}
On 19 September 2008, the police raided an apartment in Jamia Nagar, near ] In ]. There is speculation that the prime suspect in the 2008 Ahmedabad bombings, Mufti, a ] teacher from Azamgarh, may have pointed out the apartment.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&issueid=71&task=view&id=15670&sectionid=4&Itemid=1| title=More attacks possible, says Ahmedabad blasts prime suspect| work=India Today| access-date=20 May 2015| archive-date=1 December 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201043539/http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&issueid=71&task=view&id=15670&sectionid=4&Itemid=1| url-status=live}}</ref>

The raid resulted in the death of terrorists Bashir alias Mohammed Atif Amin (son of Mohammed Amin, cloth merchant in ], Mumbai) and Mohammad Sajid, and a decorated police officer, ], in the gunfight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-09-20/delhi/27901922_1_ahmedabad-blasts-special-cell-jamia-nagar|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720001851/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-09-20/delhi/27901922_1_ahmedabad-blasts-special-cell-jamia-nagar|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 July 2012|work=]|title=Shootout at Jamia Nagar; 2 terrorists killed|access-date=20 May 2015}}</ref> Mohammad Saif (the son of ] leader Shadab Ahmed)<ref name="Jamia trail ends in hitmen cradle">{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080920/jsp/nation/story_9861753.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204044655/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080920/jsp/nation/story_9861753.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 December 2008|title=The Telegraph – Calcutta (Kolkata) – Nation – Jamia trail ends in hitmen cradle|work=telegraphindia.com|access-date=20 May 2015}}</ref> was arrested while two hostiles managed to flee by possibly jumping the rooftops.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080920/jsp/frontpage/story_9861297.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920123019/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080920/jsp/frontpage/story_9861297.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 September 2008|title=The Telegraph – Calcutta (Kolkata) – Frontpage – War in warren-like Delhi Blast suspects killed in gun battle|work=Telegraph India|access-date=20 May 2015}}</ref> All of the suspects were from the town of ] in ].<ref name="Jamia trail ends in hitmen cradle" /> They claimed to be students of Jamia Milia Islamia, but that was denied by the university.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=2&theme=&usrsess=1&id=223222|title=The Statesman|work=thestatesman.net|access-date=20 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201001042/http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=2&theme=&usrsess=1&id=223222|archive-date=1 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The five were responsible for manufacturing bombs used in the Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Delhi blasts.

Atif claimed to have been studying for a diploma in ] from Jamia Milia Islamia University.<ref> {{Dead link|date=May 2015}}</ref> However,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/linked-to-lashkar-fan-of-osama-atif-was-.../363971/|title=Linked to Lashkar, fan of Osama, Atif was part of 14 behind blasts: police|work=The Indian Express|date=21 September 2008|access-date=20 May 2015}}</ref> Jamia Milia denied having him as a student. Some residents of Sarai Mir thought he was pursuing his bachelor's degree in technology from ].<ref name="timesofindia. indiatimes. com">{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Azamgarh-shocked-angry-over-news-of-Delhi-encounter/articleshow/3506464.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024142519/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-09-20/india/27898703_1_saif-sanjarpur-azamgarh|url-status=live|archive-date=24 October 2012|work=]|title=Azamgarh shocked, angry over news of Delhi encounter|access-date=20 May 2015}}</ref>

Atif was said to have been the leader of a group of 14 young men from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, all claiming to have been studying in Delhi: Atif, Sajid alias Pankaj (both now dead), Shehzad alias Pappu, Junaid, Shahdab Bhai alias Mallick, Sajid, Mohammad Khalid, Arif, Shakil, Zia Khan and Salman, Zeeshan and Mohammad Saif.

Zeeshan Jawed was arrested from the offices of a private TV station. He worked for a private company, Monarch International on Vikas Marg, and is also said to be studying management. Both he and Saif claim to have been recruited by Atif.

It is reported that Mohammad Saif has said that the plans to carry out several blasts across the country were mooted about three years ago when the Indian Mujahideen was formed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Serial-blasts-were-planned-in-2005/Article1-339240.aspx|title=Serial blasts were planned in 2005|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=20 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616214707/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Serial-blasts-were-planned-in-2005/Article1-339240.aspx|archive-date=16 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Although the blasts spanned a period of 10 months (the first blasts took place in August 2007 in Hyderabad), the planning was made far back in 2005. After that a series of explosions occurred in Uttar Pradesh, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Delhi.

There is considerable resentment in Sarai Mir over the death of the local boys.<ref name="timesofindia. indiatimes. com" /> Villagers have blamed the media for giving a bad name to Azamgarh by calling it a "nursery of terror".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/1191832/report-azamgarh-the-terror-nursery-in-eastern-up |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130819124442/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/1191832/report-azamgarh-the-terror-nursery-in-eastern-up |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-08-19 |title=Azamgarh, the terror nursery in eastern UP – India – DNA |publisher=Dnaindia.com |access-date=2013-08-19}}</ref> Mafia don ] hails from here. Azamgarh used to export its famous country-made pistols, known as "kattas", whose factories dot the region. The district was also known for young sharpshooters who joined Mumbai gangs. Individuals from the area have been accused of the murders of Bollywood producer ] in Mumbai and Left leader ] in ].

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== See also ==
* ]
* ] (SIMI)
** ], SIMI offshoot<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/nia-keen-to-probe-karnataka-students-kidnapmurder-case/812411/0|title=NIA keen to probe Karnataka students' kidnap-murder case – Indian Express|access-date=14 August 2017|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816123950/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/nia-keen-to-probe-karnataka-students-kidnapmurder-case/812411/0|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ]
* ]
* ] * ]
* ]
* ]


== Further reading ==
==References==

* {{cite book |author=] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ivBtuAAACAAJ |title=The Indian Mujahideen: The Enemy Within |date=2011 |publisher=] |isbn=9789350092521 |pages=}}
* {{cite book |author1=V. S. Subrahmanian |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XREJAgAAQBAJ |title=Indian Mujahideen: Computational Analysis and Public Policy |author2=] |author3=Animesh Roul |author4=] |date=2013 |publisher=] |isbn=978-3-319-02818-7 |pages=}}

== References ==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}


==External links==
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* by ] (], January 2010)
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* at the Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium
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* at the South Asia Terrorism Portal
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* at the ]
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Latest revision as of 14:06, 10 October 2024

Terrorist organization in South Asia primarily India

Indian Mujahideen
Founding leaderAmir Reza Khan
Iqbal Bhatkal
Riyaz Bhatkal
Yasin Bhatkal (−2013)
Abdul Subhan Qureshi (−2018)
Sadiq Israr Sheikh (−2008)
Foundation2003
Dates of operation2005–
IdeologyIslamic fundamentalism
Pan-Islamism
Jihadism
Anti-Hindu sentiment
StatusIndia Designated as terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (4 June 2010)
New Zealand Designated terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002 (22 October 2010)
United States Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (15 September 2011)
United Kingdom Banned by the United Kingdom
United Arab Emirates Designated as terrorist organization
Canada Designated as a terrorist organization
Part ofStudents' Islamic Movement of India (allegedly)
AlliesLashkar-e-Taiba
Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh
Jaish-e-Muhammad
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan

Indian Mujahideen (IM) is an Islamist terrorist group which has been particularly active in India. The jihadist group was founded as an offshoot of the Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) by several radicalized members including Iqbal Bhatkal, Riyaz Bhatkal, Yasin Bhatkal, Abdul Subhan Qureshi, Amir Reza Khan and Sadiq Israr Sheikh, among others. It has been active since at least 2005 when it bombed the Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi (where eight people were injured). It carried out several serial-bombings in Indian cities in the following years notably the 2007 Uttar Pradesh bombings, 2008 Jaipur bombings, 2008 Ahmedabad bombings, 2008 Delhi bombings, 2010 Pune bombing, 2011 Mumbai bombings, 2011 Delhi bombing, 2013 Patna bombings, 2013 Hyderabad blasts and the 2013 Bodh Gaya bombings.

Investigators believe that Indian Mujahideen is one of many groups composed of lower-tier SIMI members. According to the Indian Intelligence Bureau, SIMI took new titles because the top leadership of SIMI have been detained and would be available for interrogation. The change in names is believed to signal a change in tactics as SIMI-affiliated militants attempt to garner more support from India's Muslim community rather than be seen as a group consisting of foreigners. Two days after the 13 May 2008 Jaipur bombings, the extremist group sent an e-mail to Indian media in which they claimed responsibility for the attacks and said they would "demolish the faiths (all religions apart from Islam) of the infidels of India." The biggest and boldest attack to date by the group was the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts, where it gained national notoriety with a casualty of more than 50 people.

The group has been linked with the jihadist Lashkar-e-Taiba and its backer Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence. Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh is also closely linked with the group and was instrumental in its founding.

Two of the founding leaders, Iqbal Bhatkal and Riyaz Bhatkal, shifted to Karachi in the aftermath of the Batla House encounter in 2008 and remain active from there, operating a faction of the group. Amir Reza Khan also fled to Karachi and is reported to run his own IM module from there. Yasin Bhatkal was apprehended in 2013 and was sentenced to death in 2016 for the 2013 Hyderabad blasts; Abdul Subhan Qureshi was similarly apprehended in 2018.

After multiple Indian Mujahideen bomb blasts in different cities of India over the years, many of which were claimed by the group itself, it was declared a terrorist organisation on 4 June 2010 and banned by the Government of India. On 22 October 2010, New Zealand declared it a terrorist organisation. In September 2011, the United States officially placed the Indian Mujahideen on its list of foreign terrorist organisations, with the State Department acknowledging that the group had engaged in several terrorist attacks in India and had regional aspirations with the ultimate aim of creating an "Islamic caliphate" across South Asia. The group was banned by the United Kingdom as it aimed at creating an Islamic state and implementing sharia law in India, by use of indiscriminate violence.

Terrorist attacks in India (since 2001)
List of terrorist incidents in India
Attacks with 50+ deaths in italics
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Background

The group was founded as the merger of Students' Islamic Movement of India's Usaba based in Bhatkal (where Iqbal Bhatkal, Riyaz Bhatkal and Yasin Bhatkal come from) and Asif Reza Commando Force which had been founded by Amir Reza Khan (in the name of his brother who had died in a shootout with the police) and had carried out the 2002 attack on American cultural centre in Kolkata. Most of its recruits are from SIMI of which the IM is largely an offshoot of. It was founded in 2003 and first became active in 2005, it adopted the name "Indian Mujahideen" in emails after the 2007 Uttar Pradesh bombings.

The Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh also played an instrumental role in the founding of the group and had earlier been involved with the Asif Reza Commando Force. The Lashkar-e-Taiba also provided crucial support in IM's founding.

The Batla House encounter in 2008, when several IM members were arrested, first brought to light the leadership of the jihadist group.

Its signature weapons are timed improvised explosive devices (IEDs) made from ammonium nitrate, which it has used in most of its major attacks.

Factionalism

Riyaz Bhatkal and Amir Reza Khan both run their own factions of the group from Karachi, while Iqbal is not currently active in the group's operations.

Indian Mujahideen members are also known to have joined the Islamic State, as shown in one of their propaganda videos titled "The Bilad al-Hind – Between Pain and Hope". Shafi Armar and Sultan Armar, brothers and former IM members from Bhatkal, founded Islamic State affiliates Ansar-ut Tawhid fi Bilad al-Hind (transl. Supporters of Monotheism in the Land of India) and Janood-ul-Khalifa-e-Hind (transl. Caliph's Army of India) encouraging Indian Muslim recruitment for jihad in Syria and Afghanistan. The Armar brothers had split from Indian Mujahideen and formed these affiliates after a rift developed between them and Iqbal and Riyaz Bhatkal.

Members

It is suspected that these are the major leaders of the Indian Mujahideen group.

Leaders

  • Riyaz Bhatkal, co-founder, from Bhatkal; absconding in Karachi
  • Iqbal Bhatkal, co-founder, from Bhatkal; absconding in Karachi
  • Amir Reza Khan, co-founder; absconding in Karachi
  • Yasin Bhatkal, co-founder; from Bhatkal, under arrest
  • Abdul Subhan Qureshi alias Tauqeer, under arrest: co-founder, a software engineer from Mumbai; expert in bomb-making
  • Sadiq Israr Sheikh, co-founder; engineering graduate from Azamgarh, under arrest, suspect in the 2006 Mumbai train bombings
  • Mohsin Ismail Chaudhary, IED expert from Pune; absconding in Karachi
  • Mirza Shadab Beg, IM operational planner; absconding in Pakistan
  • Dr Shahnawaz, unani doctor; absconding in Afghanistan

Others

  • Safdar Nagori, under arrest: architect of the transformation from SIMI to Indian Mujahideen
  • Fayaz Kagzi, IED expert, joined the Lashkar-e-Taiba from SIMI, suicide-bomber in the 2016 Saudi Arabia bombings
  • Zabiuddin Ansari, under arrest, joined the Lashkar-e-Taiba from IM, accused in the 2008 Mumbai attacks
  • Shafi Armar, former IM member from Bhatkal, later ISIS operative, killed in Syria in 2015
  • Sultan Armar, former IM member from Bhatkal, later ISIS operative, killed in Syria in 2015
  • Muhammad "Bada" Sajid, IM member, joined ISIS, killed in Syria in 2015
  • Abu Rashid Ahmed, IM member, joined ISIS
  • Mufti Abu Bashir, under arrest: a preacher from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh
  • Qayamuddin Kapadia, under arrest: a trader from Vadodara, started the first-ever mosque of the Ahle Hadis Tanzeem in Vadodara
  • Sajid Mansuri, under arrest: a graduate in psychology and formerly a marketing executive
  • Usman Agarbattiwala, wanted: a postgraduate diploma holder from Vadodara in human rights
  • Alamzeb Afridi, wanted: a jobless youth from Ahmedabad; purchased bicycles and then planted them in Ahmedabad after tying bombs
  • Abdul Razik Mansuri, wanted: an embroidery unit owner
  • Mujib Shaikh, wanted: a stone polishing artisan
  • Zahid Shaikh, wanted: a mobile phone repair shop owner from Ahmedabad
  • Amil Parwaz, wanted: a native of Ujjain, believed to be involved in the court bomb blasts in Uttar Pradesh in November 2007

Delhi group

The local group at Delhi is thought to include the following, most of them from Azamgarh:

  • Mohammad Atif Amin aka Bashir: Planner and recruiter, killed in the Batla House, Jamia Nagar encounter on 19 September. Planted a bomb at M-block market in Greater Kailash-I, Delhi in the 2008 Delhi bombings and Varanasi bombs in the 2006 Varanasi bombings.
  • Mohammed "Chota" Sajid aka Pankaj: killed during the Batla House encounter. Planted a bomb at Barakhamba Road in Connaught Place.
  • Mohammad Saif: arrested from Batla House in Jamia Nagar after the 19 September encounter. Planted a bomb at Regal Theatre, New Delhi in Connaught Place.
  • Zeeshan: arrested after the Jamia Nagar encounter. Planted a bomb at Barakhamba Road in Connaught Place.
  • Junaid: Escaped during the Batla House encounter. Planted a bomb at M-block market in Greater Kailash-I, and Varanasi bombs.
  • Mohammad Shakeel: arrested on 21 September, 2008 from Jamia Nagar. Planted a bomb at Nehru Place in south Delhi.
  • Zia-ur-Rehman: arrested on 21 September, 2008 from Jamia Nagar. Planted a bomb at Connaught Place and on a cycle in Ahmedabad in the 2008 Ahmedabad bombings.
  • Saqib Nisar: arrested on 21 September, 2008 from Jamia Nagar.
  • Shahzad alias Pappu: arrested, from Azamgarh by UP STF. He escaped during the Jamia Nagar encounter. Planted a bomb in Central Park, Connaught Place.
  • Alihas Malik: wanted. Planted a bomb at Central Park, Connaught Place.
  • Mohammad Khalif: wanted.
  • Salman: arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police.

Attacks

The group has carried out several serial bombings in Indian cities. There were emails sent by the Indian Mujahideen that claimed that they were responsible for some of the following terror incidents. One warning email was received 5 minutes before the first blast in Ahmedabad. Another was received soon after the first blast of Delhi bombings. The timing makes it impossible for any other groups to have sent the two emails. The following are attacks where it has claimed responsibility or is suspected of involvement:

Suspects and arrests

Mufti Abu Bashir Ishlahi alias Abdul Wasir was arrested with the help of Uttar Pradesh police at his father's home at Sarai Mir in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh on 14 August 2008. Bashir studied in the local Madarsatul Islah and later in Deoband. According to the reports, Bashir claimed that the 2008 Ahmedabad bombings cost Rs 75,000. A SIMI activist sold his house in Kutch to get the amount. Bashir, who had stayed in Ahmedabad along with Abdul Subhan Qureshi alias Tauqeer, a co-conspirator, had bought five SIM cards using local names and addresses. He had used these cell phone numbers to remain in touch with the other members of the module at the planning stage of the conspiracy. Bashir had given the SIM cards to the bomb planters on 26 July, who had used them carefully. Each member had contacted the others through STD-PCO booths after successfully planting the bombs. These numbers were used only for receiving calls. Many of the calls were from Juhapura, where Zahid Shaikh, one of the key members of the group, lived at Sandhi Avenue near the Sarkhej highway. These numbers had become inactive immediately after the blasts.

In March 2014, the Special Cell of the Delhi Police arrested four members of IM, out of which one was Waqas alias Javed, a bomb-making expert in the group. They were arrested in Jaipur and Jodhpur in Rajasthan.

On 28 August 2013, in a major breakthrough, Yasin Bhatkal, co-founder of IM, and another IM terrorist were arrested by Indian Police and NIA near the India–Nepal border. According to Gujarat police, the breakthrough in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case came from five 'switched-off' mobile phone numbers. Joint Commissioner of Police (crime) Ashish Bhatia said that the terrorists had procured five SIM cards of phones that were switched off on the day of the blasts – 26 July. The analysis of the phone calls made to those SIM cards from PCOs provided them the key leads.

Ejaz Sheikh, wanted in several cases including the 2010 Jama Masjid attack, was arrested on 6 September 2014 from the Saharanpur area of western Uttar Pradesh by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police. He is considered a "technical expert" and considered a key member of IM.

Batla House encounter

Main article: Batla House encounter case

On 19 September 2008, the police raided an apartment in Jamia Nagar, near Jamia Millia Islamia In Delhi. There is speculation that the prime suspect in the 2008 Ahmedabad bombings, Mufti, a madrasa teacher from Azamgarh, may have pointed out the apartment.

The raid resulted in the death of terrorists Bashir alias Mohammed Atif Amin (son of Mohammed Amin, cloth merchant in Bhiwandi, Mumbai) and Mohammad Sajid, and a decorated police officer, Mohan Chand Sharma, in the gunfight. Mohammad Saif (the son of Samajwadi Party leader Shadab Ahmed) was arrested while two hostiles managed to flee by possibly jumping the rooftops. All of the suspects were from the town of Sarai Mir in Azamgarh district. They claimed to be students of Jamia Milia Islamia, but that was denied by the university.

The five were responsible for manufacturing bombs used in the Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Delhi blasts.

Atif claimed to have been studying for a diploma in human resources development from Jamia Milia Islamia University. However, Jamia Milia denied having him as a student. Some residents of Sarai Mir thought he was pursuing his bachelor's degree in technology from Jamia Hamdard.

Atif was said to have been the leader of a group of 14 young men from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, all claiming to have been studying in Delhi: Atif, Sajid alias Pankaj (both now dead), Shehzad alias Pappu, Junaid, Shahdab Bhai alias Mallick, Sajid, Mohammad Khalid, Arif, Shakil, Zia Khan and Salman, Zeeshan and Mohammad Saif.

Zeeshan Jawed was arrested from the offices of a private TV station. He worked for a private company, Monarch International on Vikas Marg, and is also said to be studying management. Both he and Saif claim to have been recruited by Atif.

It is reported that Mohammad Saif has said that the plans to carry out several blasts across the country were mooted about three years ago when the Indian Mujahideen was formed. Although the blasts spanned a period of 10 months (the first blasts took place in August 2007 in Hyderabad), the planning was made far back in 2005. After that a series of explosions occurred in Uttar Pradesh, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Delhi.

There is considerable resentment in Sarai Mir over the death of the local boys. Villagers have blamed the media for giving a bad name to Azamgarh by calling it a "nursery of terror". Mafia don Abu Salem hails from here. Azamgarh used to export its famous country-made pistols, known as "kattas", whose factories dot the region. The district was also known for young sharpshooters who joined Mumbai gangs. Individuals from the area have been accused of the murders of Bollywood producer Gulshan Kumar in Mumbai and Left leader Shankar Guha Niyogi in Chhattisgarh.

Notes

  1. All three are from Bhatkal in the Karnataka state of India, hence their nickname "Bhatkal".
  2. ^ Amir Reza Khan is from Kolkata and carried out the 2002 attack on American cultural centre in Kolkata and the Khadim abduction.
  3. ^ The Patna bombings targeted a rally of the then Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

See also

Further reading

References

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External links

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