In an astounding turn of events, the Anti-Terrorism Squad on Thursday said that the key accused in the Pune German Bakery blast case Himayat Baig had visited Mumbai a few days before the blast, and had visited three public locations in South Mumbai.
Baig had bought the cellphone and the haversack, which were used in the blast, from two shops in Crawford Market, just 100 metres away from the Mumbai police headquarters. ATS officers have also recovered several documents including election identity cards from Latur that Baig had made using false identities. “Baig had visited Mumbai for a day, just a few days before the Pune blast and had checked into a guesthouse. Although he returned to Latur in the evening, he visited three places in South Mumbai during his visit,” said a senior officer of the ATS.
According to the officer, Baig had bought the cellphone — whose alarm was used to detonate the bomb — and the haversack in which the bomb was packed from Crawford Market.
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Lockdown of Games Village, venues delayed
Age correspondent
New Delhi
The security lockdown of the Commonwealth Games Village and other venues hosting the Games has suffered a delay with government sources revealing that a lockdown of the Games Village will happen over the weekend. The sources said the lockdown of Games Village is expected by September 18 and 19, just days ahead of the sporting extravaganza which will begin on October 3. Meanwhile, a security review meeting for the CWG is expected to be convened by the home ministry on Tuesday.
Official sources said the security lockdown will first take place at the Games Village after which stadia and other venues will follow. In a “lock-down,” the entire venue is completely sanitised by security agencies and is sealed after a thorough check of each room available. The only time when the seals will be taken off is when the Commonwealth Games officials or players will enter these areas.
With last minute works still carrying on in the Game venues, sources said that the lockdown will be effected some days later as and when the work gets completed.