Wanted Lashkar terrorist arrested at IGI

New Delhi: In a major breakthrough, Lashkar terrorist Bilal Ahmad Kahwa, wanted in the 2000 Red Fort attack case, was arrested by a joint team of the Delhi police special cell and Gujarat ATS from IGI Airport’s Terminal 3 on Wednesday. Bilal Ahmad received funds from Mohammad Arif (main conspirator) via hawala funds. Questioning of the suspected terrorist is underway.

Bilan Ahmad Kahwa was on the run from security agencies since December 2000 and was hiding in Kashmir. Gujarat ATS had a tip off regarding Bilal’s movement from Srinagar to Delhi.

On December 22, 2000, six militants sneaked into the Red Fort on the pretext of watching the light-and-sound show with arms hidden under leather jackets. They started firing indiscriminately on the guards of the 7th battalion of the Rajputana Rifles. Two soldiers and a civilian guard were killed in the attack. The militants escaped by scaling the Fort’s rear wall. According to reports, the attack was backed by Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI and funded by LeT operatives. Terror outfit Lashkar-e-Tayyaba claimed responsibility for the attack. After the trial, eleven accused persons were convicted by a sessiond court. During the course of investigation, it was also found that a total of Rs 29,50,000 was transferred through hawala, through various bank accounts in the name of Bilal Ahamad Kahwa.

Earlier in year May 20, 2016, the National Investigating Agency had arrested a key operative of terror outfit Indian Mujahideen, from IGI Airport. Abdul Wahid Siddibapa, a resident of Bhatkal in Karnataka, was held after his arrival from Dubai. He was based in Dubai and was allegedly recruiting people for IM to carry out terror activities in India.

He has allegedly funded the outfit’s activities from there. Abdul is wanted in a case pertaining to a conspiracy by 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.