Background
Bhatkal was born in Karnataka and studied engineering.
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Riyaz Bhatkal
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In his earlier days, he was an activist of Students Islamic Movement of India. And later became the Indian Mujahideen’s top military commander. He had arranged delivery of 35 kg of explosives used in the 07/11 Mumbai blasts.
He was the mastermind in planning, execution and financing of Hyderabad, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Delhi serial blasts.
According to Pune Police, Mohsin Ismail Chowdhury, an accused for the German Bakery blast was recruited by Iqbal Shabandari, while Iqbal was living in Mumbai. The two brothers had recruited several Pune men into the Indian Mujahideen.
While the two Bhatkal brother were living in a rented apartment in Khondwa, Pune they presided over terrorist networks that later carried out multiple bombings across the country. In May, 2008, Bhatkal is alleged to have tapped Mansoor Peerbhoy who was then working as a computer expert at Yahoo, to produce a manifesto for the media to explain his motives for the imminent bombings in Surat and Ahmedabad.
On Riyaz"s instructions three e-mails were sent to media by hacking the Wi-Fi network in Mumbai.
In all the cases above Riyaz is an absconding accused. Bhatkal"s name was listed in the list of 50 most wanted criminals sheltered in Pakistan. An Investigation by National Investigation Agency reveals that Riyaz was frustrated with Pakistan"s Inter-Services Intelligence officials due to their bad treatment.
In 2013, it was revealed that in response to a request for a nuclear weapon, Bhatkal had responded that "Anything can be arranged in Pakistan".
