Lashkar-e-Tayiba terrorist Syed Abdul Karim 'Tunda', who is wanted in nearly three dozen bomb blast cases and acts of terrorism in India, has reportedly been arrested in Kenya.
Kenyan anti-terrorism police on Friday said they had detained Tunda and would be turning him over to prosecutors for possible extradition to India.
"We arrested him today in Mombasa," a senior Kenyan police official told agencies on condition of anonymity, adding: "He is wanted for the bombings in Mumbai. He will be handed over because he is on the wanted list."
Amidst reports of the arrest, authorities in New Delhi have approached Nairobi seeking confirmation of his detention. However, the Indian embassy in Nairobi was unaware about the arrest.
Senior Central Bureau of Investigation officials said if the arrest is confirmed by the Kenyan authorities, India will press for Tunda's deportation as he is an Indian national.
The CBI had secured an Interpol Red Corner Notice against Tunda after he fled from the country in mid-1990s. He also carries a cash reward of Rs 300,000 on his head.
He was said to have been killed in an encounter in Bangladesh in 1999, but was later said to be running a perfume business at Muridke, near Lahore, Pakistan, along with his terror campaign.
Muridke is where the Lashkar headquarters is located.
External link: From Frontline magazine: Unending War
Additional inputs: rediff News Bureau