It should be noted that this is for the first time after the Ahmedabad blasts that IM has come out in the open taking responsibility for a blast.
The low-intensity bomb blast in Varanasi may have a big echo in the state. For, it has pointed towards regrouping of the Indian Mujahideen (IM). The IM had claimed responsibility for the Ahmedabad blast to avenge the post Godhra riots.
The outfit's module was later busted by the Ahmedabad police in 2008.
It should be noted that this is for the first time after the Ahmedabad blasts that IM has come out in the open taking responsibility for a blast.
"The German Bakery blast of Pune was the first indication that the outfit was regrouping. But the Varanasi blast is an open challenge to us," a cop told DNA.
The cop further said that IM has a strong base in Uttar Pradesh and can easily recruit and train members to execute terror attack.
The Gujarat police had busted the middle and lower ranks of the IM cadre responsible for the Ahmedabad blasts, while the masterminds had managed to escape.
Abdul Subbhan Qureshi alias Tauqeer, the mastermind and a senior member of IM is still on the run. "There is a possibility that he has helped in the regrouping of the outfit and recruited new people from various minority dominated areas," the cop said.
Sources familiar with the working of the network said that senior members of the outfit get commands and funds from their bosses like the Batkal brothers.
"The senior members are involved in brainwashing and recruiting new members to execute the plans," another cop said.
Riyaz Batkal and Iqbal Batkal, who are allegedly hiding in Pakistan, may now be funding Tauqeer who may have helped the IM regroup in Uttar Pradesh, said the cop.
Most of the militants arrested by Ahmedabad police for the serial blasts of June 2008 were from Azamgarh area of Uttar Pradesh.
Sources in Ahmedabad police said that the regrouping of Indian Mujahideen is bad news for Gujarat, as one of the main objectives of the terror outfit is to spread terror across the state to avenge the post Godhra riots.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}