New Delhi: Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist involved in terror activities in Bengaluru has been extradited from Rwanda in a joint operation of the CBI, NIA and Interpol following a Red Notice issued against him.
Salman Rehman Khan, reportedly affiliated with an internationally banned terrorist organisation, allegedly aided in supplying arms, ammunition, and explosives to support terrorist activities in Bengaluru, officials said.,
“The Global Operations Centre of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has closely coordinated with the NIA and Interpol National Central Bureau – Kigali for the return to India from Rwanda of Salman Rehman Khan, wanted by the NIA for terror-related offences,” a CBI statement said.
Terror offences in Bengaluru
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered a case in 2023 regarding a criminal conspiracy to spread terror in Bengaluru, with an FIR also lodged at the Hebbal Police Station.
According to the statement, the CBI, at NIA’s request, secured a Red Notice from Interpol on August 2, 2024, to track the suspect globally. Khan was eventually located in Rwanda, where the CBI sought assistance from Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Kigali to apprehend him.
“He was returned to India on 28.11.2024 by a security team from NIA,” the statement said.
Khan’s return follows recent coordinated operations with Interpol, where two other fugitives were brought back from Saudi Arabia. Barkat Ali Khan, wanted in a 2012 case involving rioting and explosives, was returned on November 14.
Similarly, Raihan Arabikkalalarikkal, accused of rape and sexual offences against a minor in Kerala, was brought back on November 10. The CBI, as Interpol’s National Central Bureau for India, works closely with law enforcement agencies, having facilitated the return of 100 fugitives, including 26 this year, since 2021 through Interpol channels.