2011 Mumbai blast accused nabbed from Goa airport

Mumbai, July 16 (IANS) Abdul Mateen Fakki, an accused in the 2011 triple blasts in Mumbai who was absconding, has been nabbed by the Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) from Goa's Dabolim airport, sources said Wednesday.

Believed to be an Indian Mujahiddeen activist, the 50-year-old Fakki was nabbed when he arrived on a Dubai flight Tuesday night.

He was later brought to Mumbai for investigation, ATS sources revealed.

Fakki was Wednesday evening produced before the Special MCOCA Court of Y.D. Shinde who sent him to police custody till July 28.

The triple blasts of July 13, 2011 ripped through congested localities of Dadar, Opera House and Zaveri Bazar - the latter two are gold-diamond jewellery hubs - killing 26 people and injuring another 130.

Seeking his remand, the prosecution said Fakki played a key role in the triple blasts conspiracy and also transferred huge amounts of money from Dubai to India which was used towards financing the terror operation.

The sources said Fakki is believed to have financed the operation by passing money through "hawala" sources to Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal.

Prior to this, police nabbed five more accused - Naqvi Ahmed, Kunwar Pathreja, Haroon Naik, Mohammed Ansari and Nadeem Shaikh - in connection with the blasts.

They are undergoing trial under the MCOCA, Indian Penal Code and other laws.