The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen operative, Bashir Ahmed Baba (32), from Anand district late on Saturday.
A Kashmiri, Baba was setting up base in the state for which he was allegedly recruiting youngsters. The police said Baba had spent 15
days in Ahmedabad and conducted recce of key sites in the state, including the Akshardham temple, an Indian Space Research Organisation facility, railway stations and an amusement park.
“As of now, we have not found any link [between the Mumbai suspects and Baba]. We need to probe further,” Gujarat ATS chief Ajay Tomar told HT.
Baba hails from Rainawari in Srinagar and has gone to Pakistan twice. In 2008, he was arrested by the Jammu & Kashmir police in an explosives case. He is known as the “Pepsi Bomber” for his ability to assemble Improvised Explosive Devices in empty Pepsi cans.
While in Ahmedabad, he was in touch with Hizbul Mujahideen leader Bilal Shera who is in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He was also in touch with a General Abdulla, the police said.