Arrest of suspected Indian Mujahideen bomb maker likely to reduce risk of major attacks in six-month outlook

EVENT

Indian police on 22 March 2014 arrested the alleged chief bomb-maker of the domestic terrorist organisation, the Indian Mujahideen (IM), wanted for a number of attacks since 2007.

Special Police Commissioner S.N. Srivastava told a media conference on 23 March that Ziaur Rehman, popularly known as 'Waqas', was arrested, together with three others, in the western state of Rajasthan, a major tourist destination.

A police search of the alleged hideouts of the arrested men found detonators, electronic circuits, timers, and explosives. Srivastava said the arrests had averted a 'spectacular' terrorist strike but did not elaborate. Indian media reports alleged the suspected militants were targeting the BJP prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, and Israeli tourists in Rajasthan.