JULY 10- With the Indian Mujahideen (IM) emerging as the prime suspect in the Bodhgaya serial blasts, allegedly carried out to avenge the killings of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, intelligence agencies suspect the home grown terror outfit is undergoing an image makeover by taking up international issues and forging links abroad.
The IM has apparently establishing links with international radical group Hizbut Tahrir.
Intelligence inputs indicate that the group is active in India and has been wooing IM cadres to take up global issues. Sources said it has even held meetings and events attended by IM cadres.
Suspected IM operatives arrested by Delhi Police in October last year disclosed Bodhgaya was on radar after Muslims were killed in communal violence in Myanmar.
Counter terror agencies are gathering more information on the possible nexus between IM and Hizbut Tahrir. For the first time, the link was exposed when Delhi Police in a chargesheet mentioned the international group’s association with IM. But there was not much detail available with the police.
A presentation made before the Ministry of Home Affairs by the Delhi Police a few months ago also threw light on the nexus.
Intelligence sources say IM’s funding is being carried out from Europe and West Asia – a region where Hizbut Tahrir has a strong presence. It is suspected that Tahrir was responsible for the coup attempt against Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh last year.
Intelligence agencies believe this was the first time their anti- India agenda was revealed. It identified India as an enemy country.
NIA TO PROBE
The probe into the Bodh Gaya blasts has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency ( NIA) following a request by the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar. An NIA team is already in Gaya.
Four more persons, including a woman, were detained on Tuesday in connection with the blasts. They were picked up by the NIA in Patna after police claimed they had checked out of a hotel near the Mahabodhi temple at about 6.30 am, just about two hours after they checked in.
Meanwhile, a rattled state government has decided to set up an Anti- Terrorism Squad.
WORLDWIDE TERROR WEB
Intelligence agencies indicate IM link with Hizbut Tahrir
Hizbut Tahrir is a Palestinian radical outfit founded in 1953 that believes in an Islamic state
It is said to be active in West Asia and even some European countries
In countries like Germany, Turkey, Bangladesh and Russia, the group is banned and branded as a terror outfit
