Facing heat from Union home ministry after Wednesday’s low-intensity blast, the Delhi police has embarked on a random detention spree to make a breakthrough in the case.
Officials said a team of the elite special cell, which is investigating the blast, detained one Gulfam from Ghaziabad for questioning, allegedly without informing the Uttar Pradesh police about the raid which was carried out on Thursday evening. Superintendent of police (Rural), Ghaziabad, Ajay Kumar confirmed that a team of Delhi police had picked up Gulfam in a raid. “They didn’t inform us about the raid and picked up almost 12 suspects from Pilakhuwa area,” he said.
Police sources said Gulfam, a native of Brahmpur village in Garh Mukteshwar, Ghaziabad, has been living in Pawla village, Pilakhuwa, from the last one year. “Gulfam’s associate, Shakeel, is suspected of having links with Abdul Karim alias Tunda, a Lashkar-e-Tayyaba militant and the mastermind of the blasts which took place in Delhi and adjoining states between 1996 and 1998,” a source said.
“Tunda’s another confidante, Kamran, is presently in Tihar Jail. We are also looking for Gulfam’s brother Nafees who has gone missing. Both Shakeel and Nafees were in contact with Kamran in Tihar Jail, though they used to change their identity while filling their details in the visitor’s diary,” said the officer.
“Kamran may be called up for questioning if required. He is an expert in assembling bombs along with Shakeel. The signature style of the blast hints at the handiwork of Indian Mujahideen (IM). Though Shakeel and Kamran were part of Lashkar’s module, it may be possible that they were roped in by IM for carrying out the blast,” the officer said.
Meanwhile, investigators on Friday said that a black 12-volt old motorcycle battery, seven-eight detonators and other material was recovered from the blast site of blast. A Delhi police spokesperson denied that any detentions or arrests were made in the case.