Speculations over Danish Riaz and al-Qaeda nexus

The police suspect that Danish Riaz alias Saif, the alleged Indian Mujahideen terrorist, was in touch with Afghan leader Mullah Umar and Abu Faisal - one of the key accused in the Ahmedabad blasts.

Police sources revealed that they have recovered eight hard discs, three pen drives, and nine CDs from Danish's house. Further the data recovered from the discs, pen drives and CDs suggests that Danish was in touch with one of the absconding accused in the Ahmedabad blast case.

The police also suspect that he had exchanged several mails with Afghan leader Mullah Umar and  Faisal, one of the accused in the blast case. Investigating agencies are further probing his links with other terrorists and their organisations.

Police sources revealed that Danish along with members of other terrorist organisations had attended several training sessions. "In these sessions they were trained in bomb making, shooting and other such activities," said sources. Danish was arrested by a team of DCB from Vadodara after he alighted from the
Secunderabad Express train.

Sources said that Danish was among the key Indian Mujahideen (IM) members who helped IM terrorists as they evaded arrest. The DCB on Tuesday produced Danish before the metropolitan magistrate court in connection with the Ahmedabad serial bomb blast.

The agency sought for his custody for 14 days to find out the whereabouts of other accused. The court, however, granted the police 11 days custody.