According to police, Irfan was involved in several train blasts across the country post the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992.
He was later arrested and, after spending nearly eight years in jail, was released on parole, which he later jumped and had since been on the run, they added.
"Irfan also worked for Indian Mujahideen and is wanted in several terrorist cases.
"He has been arrested from Lucknow," said DCP (Special Cell), Sanjeev Kumar Yadav.