JOIN US"Bilal had been to Pakistan in between January 2008 and January 2010. During this period, he received terror training organised by LeT in Muzaffarabad and Lahore," an ATS official said.
Bilal had undergone advanced training including handling of sophisticated weapons and bomb making techniques. During these two years, he had even sneaked into the country through Bangladesh and Nepal borders thrice, the official said.
However, the official refused to comment when asked if the accused was trained by any of those accused of carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Bilal, heading a sleeper cell in Nashik and alleged to have conducted recce of several important locations in Maharashtra, was nabbed from Subash Chandra Bose Marg in Nashik on Tuesday under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
He was recruited in the LeT by Mirza Himayat Baig (29), who allegedly heads the terror group's operations in Maharashtra and arrested for his alleged role in German Bakery blast that killed 17 including foreigners and wounded 56 on February 13.
27-year-old Bilal hails from Solapur district of Maharashtra and once dreamt of becoming a doctor. He had flown to Dubai before being recruited into the LeT by Baig, the official said.
He had not been in touch with his family for over seven years and his father Mohammed Shaikh is a retired constable railway security force. His father had told the ATS officials that Bilal ran away from home in Solapur taking Rs two lakh in cash he received as provident fund, the official said.
Bilal is a second among Mohammed Shaikh's four children after Sabir. Two of his younger sisters are married, the official said.