Lashkar terrorist, accused of funding terrorism in India, extradited from Rwanda

Salman Rehman Khan is accused of involvement in criminal conspiracy, membership in a terrorist organisation, and providing material support to the Pakistan-based LeT.

In Short

• Salman Rehman Khan accused of aiding, funding terror modules in Bengaluru
• In August, Interpol issued Red Notice at CBI's request for Khan
• CBI extradited three wanted fugitive criminals this month

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has extradited a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)-linked terrorist accused of providing funds and arms and ammunition to Bengaluru-based militant modules from Rwanda, officials said.

According to the officials, Salman Rehman Khan's extradition was part of a highly confidential operation conducted by the CBI's Global Operations Centre in collaboration with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Interpol's National Central Bureau in Kigali.

Khan is accused of involvement in criminal conspiracy, membership in a terrorist organisation, and providing material support to the Pakistan-based LeT.

The NIA registered a case in 2023 against him under the Arms Act, the Explosive Substances Act, and various provisions related to terrorism.

He is alleged to have facilitated the supply of arms, ammunition, and explosives for terrorist activities in Bengaluru.

The case originated with the Bengaluru City Police following a major arms seizure at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. During a raid last year, authorities recovered seven pistols, four hand grenades, one magazine, 45 live rounds, and four walkie-talkies.

Investigations revealed that the weapons were part of a larger network aimed at spreading radical ideology and supporting LeT operations.

The NIA took over the case on October 25, 2023, and identified Khan as a critical operative responsible for facilitating the transportation of arms, ammunition, and funds to Bengaluru-based terror modules.

The case gained momentum when Interpol issued a Red Notice on August 2 this year at the CBI’s request.

Following intelligence inputs, he was tracked to Rwanda. A security team from the NIA brought him back to India for prosecution.

This is the third wanted criminal to be extradited by the CBI this month.

On November 14, Barkat Ali Khan, wanted in a rioting and explosives case registered in Mumbai, was extradited from Saudi Arabia. The CBI had issued a Red Notice against him in December 2022.

Raihan Arabikkalalarikkal, accused of raping a minor in Kerala, was also tracked to Saudi Arabia. He was brought back on November 10, following a Red Notice issued in December 2023.

Since 2021, the CBI has coordinated the extradition of 100 fugitives, including 26 in 2024 alone, via Interpol channels.