THE manhunt for a terror suspect who has been on Interpol’s most-wanted list for almost two decades, has led police to a greengrocer’s in Bolton.

The Metropolitan Police Service’s Extradition Unit arrested 49-year-old Mohammed Hanif Umerji Patel on behalf of the Indian Government.

The authorities believe Patel’s real name is Tiger Hanif, who is wanted in connection with a terrorist bombing in Surat, Gujarat, in 1993. In the incident, an eight-year-old schoolgirl was killed and 12 other people were injured.

Tiger Hanif’s photograph and description were subsequently circulated around the world by the international police force Interpol, which has been hunting Hanif ever since.

Officers arrested Patel at a house in Astley Street, Halliwell, on February 16.

A spokesman for the Met Police said: “Mohammed Hanif Umerji Patel — also known as Tiger Hanif — was arrested on behalf of the Indian authorities under an extradition warrant alleging conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions.”

It is believed that Patel had been working in Bolton as a greengrocer.

However, members of his family yesterday denied he had been working at Barkat Enterprises in Derby Street, Daubhill.

They said he was “retired” and said that his son had worked at the Daubhill grocery business.

A spokesman for the store also denied that Patel had worked for them but again confirmed that his son had.

Patel appeared at the City of Westminster Magistrates Court on February 17. He was remanded in police custody until March 25 when the court will make a decision over the extradition application.

Solicitors Stephen Lickrish and Associates, who are representing Patel, declined to comment.

Former Gujarat minister Mohammed Surti was sentenced to 20 years in jail in 2008 for his involvement in the 1993 twin Surat bombings.

The court found Surti guilty, along with 11 others, in connection with the grenade blast near Surat Railway Station.

The second blast happened near Sadhna School in Varacha area of Surat, killing the eight-year-old.

The grenade blast rocked Surat after the deadly Mumbai serial blasts in March in which more than 200 people were killed.

Surti was said to have procured hand grenades and other weapons.

pkeaveny@theboltonnews.co.uk