Suspected IM operative found murdered in Pune jail

Suspected Indian Mujahideen operative Mohammad Qateel Siddiqui, lodged in Yerwada Central Jail for his alleged role in planting a bomb outside a temple here and named in the Bangalore stadium blast, was found murdered in his prison cell, police said today.

"Qateel was murdered in the jail," a senior ATS official said.

Qateel was suspected to have been strangled to death by some inmates following a brawl, police said.

Qateel, who was also involved in Bangalore Chinnaswamy stadium blast, had been arrested by Maharashtra ATS for his attempt to carry out terror strike by planting a bomb outside Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapti Temple. However, his bid was foiled.

He was arrested in November last year by the Delhi Police for his involvement in various blasts in the country.

The reason and motive for the killing is currently being investigated by the police.