4 suspected detained in 13/7 blasts case

Mumbai, August 01: The anti-terrorism squad (ATS) detained four members of the banned Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) on Saturday night in the 13/7 triple blasts case. Investigators believe the four are affiliated to terrorist outfit Indian Mujahideen (IM).

Sources said the detained members are from Pipe Road in Kurla where the SIMI headquarters was once located. They are being detained at the Kalachowkie office of the ATS.

ATS chief Rakesh Maria said the four were detained on the basis of suspicion for routine questioning and had been let off. But sources insisted that they were still being interrogated by the ATS and the agency has got some leads.

The men were detained after they failed to provide satisfactory answers about their whereabouts on the day of the blasts, a week before and a few days after. “We have called for their call details records from mobile operators,” said an officer. The officer said their probe suggests that 11 persons were involved in the 13/7 blasts.

“The IM has made it a point not to repeat its earlier mistakes. This is why it has not sent out any email claiming responsibility for the triple explosions,” said another officer. A total of 21 IM members have been arrested in connection with 11 blasts in the country.

–Agencies