HuJI's Qaeda links worry officials

Security officials in Mumbai on Tuesday said that the probe into last week's Hyderabad blasts may reveal vital information about the Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami's (HuJI) "spreading" tentacles across several states, including Maharashtra.

The HuJI, which has bases in Bangladesh and Pakistan, is suspected to be the principal terrorist outfit that plotted the twin bombings in Hyderabad, according to preliminary findings.

Although senior officials refused to attach much "importance" to the state Anti-Terrorism Squad's visit to Hyderabad - a three-member team left Mumbai on Tuesday - the cops are believed to try and remain focussed on "sprawling" HuJI "bases" and the group's alleged links with al Qaeda.

Investigators in Mumbai had stumbled on HuJI while probing into last year's train blasts after names of operatives like Abdul Sattar were revealed to them by some of those arrested.

Meanwhile, the ATS has stepped up efforts in acquiring the interrogation report of self-styled HuJI commander Jalaluddin Mullah, who was arrested in Lucknow.

Jalaluddin is believed to be "linked" to the Hyderabad blasts mastermind Shahid Bilal. 
"The interrogation of Jalaluddin may help us in getting to know HuJI's ambitions across states and its chemistry with groups like LeT and the Jaish. His ties with Bilal needed to be ascertained" said an intelligence official.