15 Facts About Iqbal Bhatkal

Iqbal Bhatkal is the brother of another IM co-founder Riyaz Bhatkal, and is one of the Indian Mujahideen's three top commanders.

Iqbal Bhatkal was born as Iqbal Shahbandri in the South Indian fishing town of the Bhatkal in the Uttara Kannada district of the state of Karnataka.

Iqbal Bhatkal's brother, Riyaz, was a bright student, but Iqbal was not.

Iqbal Bhatkal attempted to get his diploma in Construction Technology eighteen times, but failed every time.

Iqbal Bhatkal took part in activities of the Islamic movement Tablighi Jamaat and listened to many lectures by Zakir Naik, a Muslim who founded the Islamic Research Foundation.

Iqbal Bhatkal was involved in the Germany bakery blast, which resulted in the death of seventeen and injury of sixty-four people.

Iqbal Bhatkal made friends with him during a religious function while he was in Pune.

Iqbal Bhatkal kept in touch with him constantly for the next three years.

Iqbal Bhatkal Shabandari had started his career as a fervent proselytizer for the largely apolitical Tablighi Jamaat and later on became an Islamist ideologue who recruited several Pune men into the Indian Mujahideen.

In 2008 Iqbal Bhatkal had composed the three e-mails were sent to media by hacking the Wi-Fi network in Mumbai.

Yasin Iqbal Bhatkal was caught in India and has been sentenced to death.

Yasin Iqbal Bhatkal was another main leader of the Indian Mujahideen.

Iqbal Bhatkal's name was listed in the list of "50 most wanted criminals" sheltered in Pakistan.

Iqbal Bhatkal was the first leader of the Indian Mujahideen to have his name added to the list of the most wanted by the Indian government by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Iqbal Bhatkal is currently not believed to be actively involved in IM's operations and his brother is said to lead the group.