Riyaz Bhatkal

Riyaz Bhatkal, also known as Shah Riyaz Ahmad Mohammed Ismail Shahbandari aka Riyaz Ismail Shahbandri, is the founder leader and a wanted terrorist of Indian Mujahideen, a terrorist group based in India. Riyaz Ismail Shahbandri is one of the Indian Mujahideen's three top commanders and is currently based in Karachi, Pakistan along with his brother Iqbal Bhatkal.[1]

Shah Riyaz Ahmad Mohammed Ismail Shahbandari
aka Riyaz Bhatkal
Born
Bhatkal, Uttara Kannada, Karnataka, India
NationalityIndian
OrganizationIndian Mujahideen

Early life

Bhatkal was born in Karnataka and studied engineering. In his earlier days, he was an activist of Students Islamic Movement of India. And later became the Indian Mujahideen’s top military commander.[2]

Militancy

He had arranged delivery of 35 kg of explosives used in the 07/11 Mumbai blasts. He was the mastermind in planning, execution and financing of Hyderabad, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Delhi serial blasts.[3]

According to Pune Police, Mohsin Ismail Chowdhury, an accused for the German Bakery blast was recruited by Iqbal Shabandari, while Iqbal was living in Mumbai. The two brothers had recruited several Pune men into the Indian Mujahideen. While the two Bhatkal brother were living in a rented apartment in Khondwa, Pune they presided over terrorist networks that later carried out multiple bombings across the country.[2]

In May, 2008, Bhatkal is alleged to have tapped Mansoor Peerbhoy who was then working as a computer expert at Yahoo, to produce a manifesto for the media to explain his motives for the imminent bombings in Surat and Ahmedabad. On Riyaz's instructions three e-mails were sent to media by hacking the Wi-Fi network in Mumbai.[3]

In all the cases above Riyaz is an absconding accused. Riyaz is currently based in Delhi, India along with his brother Iqbal and operate in India with the help of Yasin Bhatkal.[3]

Bhatkal's name was listed in the list of 50 most wanted criminals sheltered in Pakistan.[4] An Investigation by NIA reveals that Riyaz was frustrated with Pakistan's ISI officials due to their bad treatment.[5]

In 2013, it was revealed that in response to a request for a nuclear weapon, Bhatkal had responded that "Anything can be arranged in Pakistan".[6]

References
  1. "Interpol warrant for Bangalore stadium attack suspect soon: police". The Hindu. 29 May 2012. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  2. Swami, Praveen (17 February 2010). "In city scarred by terror, family confronts its demons". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  3. Gupta, Shishir (8 April 2012). "Pak-based terrorists involved in cases in India". The Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  4. "India releases list of '50 most wanted' sheltered in Pak". 12 May 2011. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  5. "Riyaz Bhatkal called ISI a Dog, says NIA Chargesheet". IANS. news.biharprabha.com. Archived from the original on 11 July 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  6. Chauhan, Neeraj (30 December 2013). "Indian Mujahideen wanted to nuke Surat, Yasin Bhatkal tells cops". indiatimes.com. TNN. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
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