DHAKA: Police in India have arrested Yasin Bhatkal, the alleged head of the Indian Mujahideen (IM) militant group, which has been blamed for a string of recent attacks, officials say.

The group is thought to be behind deadly blasts in the cities of Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi.

Bhatkal, who officials say is a co-founder of the home-grown group, is one of the most wanted men in the country.

Reports say that he was detained close to the border with Nepal.

‘Yasin Bhatkal was arrested last (Wednesday) night in (the northern state of) Bihar,’ Indian home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde told reporters on Thursday morning, reports the BBC.

He is in the custody of Bihar police and is being questioned, Shinde said.

Reports say the 30-year-old is being brought to Delhi.

His real name is believed to be Muhammad Ahmad Zarar Siddibappa, but he uses a number of aliases, the authorities say.

Bhatkal was arrested along with an IM colleague who has been identified as Asadullah Akhtar, reports said.

BDST: 1519 HRS, AUG 29, 2013
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