What was being suspected till now is finally confirmed. The National Investigation Agency has concluded that the July Mumbai serial bombings was the handiwork of Indian Mujahideen. The NIA informed the government late last month giving details regarding involvement of key IM operatives in the planning and execution of the Mumbai triple blasts. The NIA has been involved in the blast investigations along with Mumbai crime branch and anti-terror squad. Sources said the agency has concluded that the conspiracy was hatched by the Bhatkal brothers, Riaz and Iqbal, who are now said to be in Pakistan, along with their two key associates, Dr Shanawaz and Mohd Khalid.
“Shahnawaz is said to be hiding in Sharjah while Khalid is in Dubai. We have technical evidence in our possession to suggest that the four hatched the blast conspiracy and were in touch with another group in Bangladesh. A close technical scrutiny has revealed a complex web of phone calls and e-mails between top IM operatives,’’ a top intelligence official said. Intelligence agencies have managed to get details of certain phones calls made between Aariz and Dr Shahnawaz.
Interestingly, the execution, according to NIA sources, of the plan was carried by another set of IM operatives comprising Aariz alias Junaid and Bada Sajid. Sources claim that Sajid and Aariz had sneaked into Indian along with two of their associates, Mirza Shadab Baig and Amanullah Akhtar, from the Bangladesh border to carryout the serial blasts.
Intelligence agencies have managed to get details of certain phones calls made between Aariz and Dr Shahnawaz. It is suspected the group left Mumbai later in the evening after carrying out the bombings. “It seems all four are back in Bagladesh now,’’the official added.
Interestingly, NIA sources have informed the Centre that the IM operatives have a close association with the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and used one of their sleeper cells in Mumbai for logistical support.