A plush hotel in Dubai was where the 13/7 Mumbai blasts’ conspiracy was hatched last April, investigations have revealed.
Indian Mujahideen co-founder Riyaz Bhatkal and a Pakistani were present for the meeting.
The Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad officers got the information after interrogating Students Islamic Movement of India member Haroon Naik.
Sources said, the ATS received information that Naik, a Mumbra resident, was involved in circulation of fake currency, and hence, it issued a lookout notice against him, as he was believed to be out of the country.
In August 2011, Naik was apprehended at the international airport after he arrived from Jeddah. “Naik said he also sent people to Pakistan for terrorist training in 2000. His interrogation revealed these details about the 13/7 conspiracy,” said an officer.
The police have got information about the hotel, the day the meeting was held and who were present. “Riyaz Bhatkal was there, and Naik was called there to discuss how the money will reach Yasin Bhatkal through the hawala network,” the officer said. Sources claimed a Pakistani had also attended the meeting and played a prominent role in the conspiracy.
Another officer said, the police first wanted to get hold of the financier and hawala operator, then catch the vehicle thieves, followed by planters and conspirators. “While vehicle thieves Naqi Ahmed and Nadeem Shaikh, and one of the suspected conspirators Naik, are in our net, we are yet to get hold of two planters and Yasin Bhatkal,” said the officer.
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