Pakistani diplomat in NIA 'most wanted' list

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has named a Pakistani diplomat, who is charge-sheeted for planning explosions in places like Electronic City and the Israeli consulate in Bengaluru, in its "most wanted" list two months after he was charge-sheeted.

Amir Zubair Siddique, who is nicknamed 'Boss',  has been accused of plotting terror strikes in various places across south India and engaging people to indulge in spying. He was posted as visa counsellor in the Pakistani High Commission in Colombo when he was allegedly plotting the terror strikes.

Officials said the NIA has released photographs of Siddique, against whom the charge sheet was filed in February.

The NIA move to include Siddique in the list came as the agency is approaching the Interpol seeking red corner notices (RCNs) against him and three other Pakistani officers who are involved in the conspiracy.

This is the first time the NIA has put any Pakistani official in the 'most wanted' list.

According to NIA, Siddique has also pumped in fake Indian currency into the country besides asking Indian recruits to pass on the information about vital installations.

Siddique's name cropped up in 2014 during the interrogation of Sri Lankan national Mohd Sakir Hussain, who is presently undergoing imprisonment in the case.

The NIA has claimed that he had clicked photographs of targets and passed it on to Siddique, who was repatriated to Pakistan following India putting pressure on Colombo.

In the supplementary charge sheet filed in February this year, Siddiqui was named along with his accomplices Balasubramanian and Noorudeen under various sections of the Unlawful Activity Act 1967.

The terror plot came to light after the arrest of Hussain.

NIA officials said digital evidence shared by the US-led them to Siddiqui's involvement.