Startled by the fact that the key accused of the Pune German Bakery blast Himayat Baig had managed to procure as many as eight voter identity cards bearing his photograph but different names, Maharashtra’s Anti-Terrorism Squad has now approached the state Election Commission to trace more such cards that they think could have been procured by members of the sleeper cells of the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba. Senior ATS officers said they have also requested the Commission to initiate a detailed probe into how Baig managed to procure such a card that is usually allotted only after a thorough verification by the authorities.
During a raid conducted in Udgir in Latur, the ATS had recovered three genuine election identity cards that bear Baig’s photographs, but under three different names — Imamuddin Sheikh, Khayyum Sheikh and Ahmed Baig — and five other photocopies of election cards bearing different names. Of the three genuine cards, two were issued from Udgir and one from Beed, while of the five photocopies, three were issued from Latur and one each from Beed and Aurangabad.
“We are in touch with the election office seeking their help to trace out similar identity cards. We have also requested them to investigate how the fake cards used by Baig were allotted in the first place,” said ATS chief Rakesh Maria.
Senior ATS sources told this newspaper that Baig had inducted several youth into the LeT, and they are now members of the sleeper cells of the terror outfit. “Our investigations have revealed that Baig had recruited youths largely from Aurangabad, Pune and Latur. The election cards are used to take homes on rent or opening bank accounts using the fake identities to stay clear of the investigating agencies’ scanners,” said another ATS officer.