Two suspects in Zaveri Bazaar blasts case brought to Mumbai, handed over to ATS

Widening its probe into the 2011-serial bombing episode that killed 26 people, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), on Monday secured the custody of two Indian Mujahideen (IM) operatives from the Karnataka Police.

The two operatives identified as - Dr Syed Ismail Afaque (36) and Saddam Hussein (28), are suspected of having supplied explosives for the July 13, 2011 serial blasts in the island city.

The state ATS had filed an application, on January 22, to the special court in Banglore, stating the agency would like to interrogate the duo for their alleged role in the terror act.

"We have brought the two to Mumbai today. The duo are not only suspected of playing hand in the Mumbai serial blast episode, but also the August 1, 2012 Junglee Maharaj Road blast in Pune," ATS Chief Himanshu Roy told DNA online, via a telephonic conversation.

According to Roy, after identifying Dr Afaque, a homeopath as a key supplier of high intensity Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and detonators for the blasts, the Karnataka Police on January 8 arrested Saddam Hussein and another operative Abdul Suboor.

"The investigation report outlined that, the blasts in Mumbai and Pune had same pattern, and were collected in Manglore. Thus, we want to investigate further," Roy said.

Till date, probe in the blast case have revealed that, IM operatives - Asadullah Akhtar, a Pakistan national, Zia-ur-Rehman alias Waqas, Yasin Bhatkal and Tehseen Akhtar alias Monu - all of whom have been arrested had carried out triple blasts that shocked the city.