Nepal’s anti-terrorism cell has arrested a man in his 40s on suspicion of involvement in the Mumbai triple blasts of July 13. Home ministry sources on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of one Mohammed Zahid in Nepal. The sources said the Nepalese police suspect that the man may have a connection with the people behind the
Mumbai blasts but this was still being verified by Indian agencies. The man, arrested in Kathmandu, is believed to have spoken and exchanged text messages about the Mumbai blasts on his cellphone, which has been recovered from him.
“Our agencies are in continuous touch with the Nepal police and we are getting whatever information we require,” a senior government official said in New Delhi. The official also said the actual name of the arrested person may differ and fuller details are yet to be received.
The Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad, however, denied any such arrest. Also, officials within the security establishment remained sceptical of his involvement. Sources, meanwhile, said the arrest, made a week ago, is believed to have been kept secret. There were reports that the man, identified as Mohammad Zahid, was brought to Mumbai on a chartered aircraft on Tuesday. “The Nepal police has arrested one person whom they suspect had possible connections with the persons behind the Mumbai serial blasts,” an MHA official said. “He may or may not be linked to the Mumbai blasts. We are yet to arrive at a conclusion,” the official said.
Zahid is reported to be a resident of Sarlahi district in Nepal’s Terai plains. He allegedly conducted suspicious activities from his rented apartment in Baluwatar, an upmarket area in Kathmandu where the official residence of the Nepalese Prime Minister is located. He was found to have made phone calls and to have sent text messages about the Mumbai blasts on his cellphone, local reports claimed.
“The terrorists could have taken advantage of the porous India-Nepal border. Also, since officials keep a close watch on the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders after such attacks, the terrorists could have used the Nepal border,” said an officer.
National Investigation Agency teams and anti-terrorism squads have fanned across cities, including Ajmer, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Hyderabad, where they are questioning arrested IM operatives.