60-70 calls traced to Gulf, Pak, Bangla

Qaeda link being investigated. ATS on the Lashkar trail.

NEW DELHI: Security agencies have traced 60 to 70 calls made from Mumbai to locations in the Gulf, Pakistan, and Bangladesh just before and after the serial blasts. Investigation is on to ascertain to whom the calls were made.

Two days before the blasts, security agencies held a member of the Taliban at Delhi airport, reinforcing suspicion of a Qaeda link to terrorist groups operating in India.

The Afghan, identified as Niyaz Mohammad, was trying to leave the country under the assumed name of Islam Khan. He had been in the country for over a month during which he visited Ranchi and other places.

Meanwhile, Union home ministry officials said the claim made on behalf of Al Qaeda from Srinagar is being checked. The call has been traced to an STD booth at Jamalhatta; the caller was Kashmiri-speaking.

On the other hand, the ATS has despatched teams to Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pardesh, UP, Delhi, Gujarat and J&K in a hunt for the culprits. The Lashkar-e-Tayiba trail is being followed while members of the banned SIMI are under surveillance.

A crackdown on suspects continues.

A police source said eight persons have been detained in different parts of the country, including Delhi and Gujarat, for interrogation.