Wanted Indian Mujahideen terrorist, who escaped during Batla House encounter, arrested

NEW DELHI: Wanted Indian Mujahideen terrorist Ariz Khan was on Wednesday arrested by the Delhi Police. Ariz Khan alias Junaid is believed to be one of those who had escaped during the 2008 Batla House encounter. He was also allegedly involved in five bomb blast cases including the ones in Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Delhi. 

The arrested was made by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police. He was found from the Nepal border and brought to Delhi four days back. It is being investigated whether Ariz had any links with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). 

DCP Delhi Police special cell stated that no encounter was held to nab the terrorist. "He is an expert bomb maker, conspirator and executioner. He was associated with Atif Amin who was killed in Batala House encounter. He was also wanted in 2007 UP blasts, 2008 Jaipur serial blasts, 2008 Ahmedabad blasts and had escaped from Batala House encounter," the Delhi Police said.

Khan was present at Batla House, along with four others, and had managed to give police the slip during the encounter on September 19, 2008 in Jamia Nagar in Delhi. Two Indian Mujahideen terrorists had been killed in the encounter then and as many were arrested. Encounter specialist and Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who led the police action, was also killed during the operation.

A trial court in July 2013 had sentenced Indian Mujahideen (IM) terrorist Shahzad Ahmed to life imprisonment in connection with the Batla House encounter case. His appeal against the trial court's verdict has been pending in the high court.