Suspect Arrested In India Over Mumbai Attacks

Firefighters rescue employees and guests of the Taj Mahal Hotel in downtown Mumbai, one of the scenes of the shootouts with gunmen in the November 2008 attacks.

Reports say Indian police have arrested a suspected coordinator of the 2008 Islamist attacks in the city of Mumbai, which left 166 people dead and more than 300 wounded.

The Press Trust of India and the BBC quoted police sources as confirming the arrest of Indian-born Abu Hamza, who is also known as Sayed Zabiuddin and other aliases.

Officials say he is a suspected member of the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e Taiba, which is blamed for carrying out the Mumbai attacks.

Hamza was allegedly one of the "handlers" who issued instructions by telephone to the 10 Islamist gunmen who stormed two luxury hotels, a Jewish center, a restaurant, and a train station in Mumbai.

Hamza was reportedly arrested at Delhi International Airport on June 21.

Based on reporting by AFP, www.ptinews.com, and BBC