in the hijacking of Indian Airlines plane to Kandhar in 1999. Rauf was arrested in a case of fake visa but during investigation Chilean police found that Interpol had issued a notice against one Abdul Rauf involved in the hijacking of the plane.
CBI was informed about the arrest yesterday. Rauf, wanted by India, is a close relative of terrorist Masood Azhar who was released by the NDA government to secure the release of over 160 passengers of IC-814 plane which was hijacked from Nepal to Kandahar, Afghanistan by terrorists on December 24, 1999. Rauf is believed to be the main co-ordinator and financier of the hijacking episode.