https://www.india.com/news/india/terrorist-cam-basheer-wanted-in-2002-mumbai-blasts-case-held-in-canada-extradition-to-india-soon-6118851/Terrorist CAM Basheer, wanted in 2002 Mumbai blasts, detained in Canada, extradited to India soon
According to officials, Basheer had been operating from the Middle East for many years and was also said to have had ties to the Indian mujahideen.
Bombay: Chaneparambil Mohammad Basheer alias CAM Basheer, wanted in 2002-03 Mumbai blast conspiracy case, has been arrested in Canada after more than two decades.
According to reports, CAM Basheer, a feared terrorist and a prominent member of the now-banned terrorist organization SIMI or Students Islamic Movement of India, was arrested while trying to flee Canada following a Red Corner Notice (RCN) issued against him by Interpol for alleged acts of terrorism, conspiracy, murder, among other serious charges.
The Interpol had issued an RCN against Basheer for his alleged role in the December 2002 Mumbai Central Station blasts, the January 2003 Vile Parle blasts and the March 2003 Mulund train blasts, India Today reported.
According to the report, the Mumbai police has started legal proceedings to extradite Basheer to India and as part of the extradition process, a special court has sought permission to collect blood samples from Basheer’s sister in Ernakulam for the purpose of DNA profiling.
Unit 6 of the Mumbai Crime Branch has received permission from the Mumbai Special Court to collect blood samples from Basheer’s sister for the extradition process, according to the report.
The SIMI terrorist is wanted in India in connection with the 2002-2003 Mumbai blasts and is charged with terrorism, terror conspiracy, murder, among others under various anti-terror laws, including the now-repealed TADA (Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (TADA) Act ( Prevention) Action).
Three vicious coordinated bombings rocked Mumbai over the course of four months from December 2002 to March 2003, killing at least 12 people and injuring many others. CAM Basheer is accused of financing and executing the bombings allegedly carried out by a SIMI module.
Who is CAM Basheer?
Chaneparambil Mohammad Basheer alias CAM Basheer, was born in 1961 in Kaprasery village on the coast of Kerala and holds a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. After completing his education, Basheer radicalized and joined the SIMI outfit in Aluva town.
He quickly rose through the SIMI ranks and emerged as one of the prominent leaders of the terror group. He is suspected of playing a key role in radicalizing several Muslim youths and brainwashing them into committing terrorist acts across the country.
Officials said Basheer had been operating out of the Middle East for years and was also linked to another banned terror group, the Indian mujahideen. Basheer’s presence and the length of his stay in Canada is under investigation, an official said, according to the report.
In 2011, he was among India’s 50 most wanted list, after which he went underground and kept a low profile to evade authorities.
Basheer was one of the 50 most wanted persons listed by India in 2011. The Mumbai Special Court has authorized Unit 6 of the Mumbai Crime Branch to collect blood samples from Basheer’s sister in Ernakulam for further investigation.
Security agencies allege that Basheer, who allegedly received weapons training from the ISI during his visit to Pakistan in the early 1990s, was also part of ISI’s K2 (Kashmir and Khalistan) plan to commit acts of terrorism in Punjab and Kashmir.
Basheer has also been linked to blasts in Bengaluru and other parts of India and is said to have been in constant contact with the ISI to recruit people for weapons training in Pakistan and carry out terror attacks in India.