Varanasi, Deceber 09: As investigators pick up leads from the terror trail left after the blast in Varanasi on Tuesday, a team of Delhi Police, which first got on the trail of Indian Mujahideen (IM) in 2008, is likely to visit the blast site. Terror outfit Indian Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the Tuesday blast, but investigators believe that IM has taken help from a local module to carry out the blast and IM cadres were only involved in sending the email after the incident.
Officers, who are also investigating the Jama Masjid firing case, say the two incidents have one thing in common. In both the cases the firing near Jama Masjid and the blast in Varanasi the aim was to cause panic more than casualties. “We had suspected the role of local criminals in Jama Masjid case because unlike earlier IM operations, the Jama Masjid attack was poorly planned. Similarly, the Varanasi blast seems to have been executed by a local gang or module,” said an official, heading the Jama Masjid attack probe.
Cops said the role of IM cadre who were involved in the serial blasts of 2008 cannot be ruled out as many of them are still absconding.
“Around a dozen wanted IM militants have shifted to Dubai from where they are learnt to have taken shelter in Pakistan. Azamgarh, which is 50 km from Varanasi, till recently was the hub of such IM cadre. We have again intensified the search for all the absconding militants,” the officer added.
Investigators also said that IM, which earlier used to operate in large modules, have now been using small modules to carry out their operations. A big module of the IM was busted in September 2008 and 22 suspects were arrested in Delhi and Mumbai. That IM is operating through small modules was further confirmed by the statement of two militants arrested by Mumbai Police in connection with the Pune blasts in February this year.
Intelligence agencies said the absconding militants are planning to regroup. “There was information that Dr Shehnawaz, brother of Mohd Saif who was arrested after the Batla House encounter, has set up base in Pakistan from where he is recruiting youths for training. Some of the terrorists who are wanted in connection with the Delhi blasts include Mirza Shadab Baig, Ariz alias Junaid Mohammed Sajid, Dr Shehnawaz, Hakim, Asadullah Akhtar, Mohd Khalid and Shahrukh. The last arrest, in connection with the Delhi serial blasts, was made by UP Police in March this year when 19-year-old Salman was arrested,” the investigating officers said.
“An entire southern brigade comprising fidayeen attackers and bomb planters, including two serial blasts accused Riyaz and Iqbal Bhatkal are still at large. A man named Shahrukh, who is believed to be Yasin Bhatkal and who supplied explosives for the Delhi blasts, could not be tracked as we lost leads,” claimed an officer who was once part of the probe. The MHA in June this year banned IM and termed it a terror outfit.
Meanwhile, investigations into the Jama Masjid attack on September 19 have hit a wall as cops have not been able to arrest any one. The terror email sent from Mumbai could not be traced beyond a point. Delhi Police has also sought help from Google, as the email was sent from a gmail account, and is awaiting response. The forensic results of the terror email have not been received by cops. Cops also drew a blank on the possible involvement of a local criminal gang in the attack.
–Agencies