ATS claimed to have made a breakthrough with the arrest of two alleged Indian Mujahideen operatives but the mastermind and planters of the bombs are still at large.
Six months after Mumbai was rocked by three coordinated blasts leaving 27 people dead, Maharashtra ATS on Monday claimed to have made a breakthrough with the arrest of two alleged Indian Mujahideen operatives but the mastermind and planters of the bombs are still at large.
Naqi Ahmed Wasi Ahmed Sheikh and Nadeem Akhtar Ashfaq Sheikh, originally from Bihar's Darbhanga district, were arrested even as the manhunt continues for top IM leader Yasin Bhatkal.
"Naqi Ahmed Wasi Ahmed Sheikh (22) and Nadeem Akhtar Ashfaq Sheikh (23), who are already in police custody in connection with a forgery case, have been arrested today in the blasts case," ATS chief Rakesh Maria told reporters.
Naqi and Nadeem, residents of Madanpura and Antop Hill areas in the city, were earlier arrested in connection with a case relating to procurement of SIM cards using fake documents. Six others including one Haroon Rashid Naik from Mumbra near Mumbai, whose remand has been sought, had also been held in connection with fraudulent procurement of SIM cards over a period of time since August 2011, Maria said.
"After Haroon's remand in granted, he will be arrested in the blasts case," Maria said, adding help extended by the underworld in commission of the crime had also emerged. He said around Rs 10 lakh received through Hawala channels was used in the crime but did not disclose the source from where the money came lest it would hamper investigations.
Maintaining that Naqi was indoctrinated by Bhatkal, Maria said it was he who helped the IM mastermind to rent the third floor apartment in Habib Building at Byculla last year. Two-three apartments were rejected before finalising the Habib building quarters and Naqi paid for it, he said.
Maria rubbished claims by Naqi's relatives that he was innocent, saying he had been in touch with Bhatkal since 2008 and even visited his place in Bihar and that he was fully aware of the latter's antecedents. "We have evidence to corroborate this," Maria said.
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