NEW DELHI: The NIA on Wednesday claimed that it has solved the Patna blast case with the Tuesday’s arrest of four suspected SIMI and Indian Mujahideen (IM) terrorists.
NIA Director General Shard Kumar said the SIMI-IM module had hatched a conspiracy to target Modi during the Hunkar rally in Patna in October last and in fact carried out dry runs at the rallies in Delhi, Akbarpur and Kanpur. The Ranchi module of the terror outfits finally struck the Patna rally on October 27, killing seven people and injuring 83 others.
“On Tuesday we picked up mastermind of the blast Haider Ali alias Black Beauty and Mojibullah and after their sustained interrogation, other two suspects -- Numan Ansari and a juvenile -- were held. With this, we have arrested all 13 accused in the case,” Kumar said, adding that the agency has now cracked all three blasts at Dilsukhnagar- Hyderabad, Bodh Gaya and Patna.
The NIA chief said Haider was the most wanted terrorist on the run, after the arrest of Yasin Bhatkal, Assadullah Akhtar, Tehseen and Waqas. He was trying to galvanise SIMI and IM cadres after the arrest of the top terrorists. Haider, the mastermind of Patna and Bodh Gaya blasts, was carrying `10 lakh bounty on his head.
“He has also been found working at the behest of foreign handlers and receiving funds through hawala channels. Tuesday’s arrest clearly establishes the links between the SIMI and IM. The bombs used in the Patna and Bodh Gaya blasts were manufactured at Baralota lodge in Ranchi,” Kumar said.
The NIA has been tracking these suspects for the past three months, with the help from the central intelligence agencies.
Haider finally came on the radar after the Delhi police arrested Tehseen.
The NIA has also unravelled the entire conspiracy behind the Bodh Gaya blast, in which two persons were injured. Kumar said his team was conducting further probe to obtain more information.
When asked whether the IM network was completely dismantled after the recent arrests, the NIA chief replied in the negative. “The IM is not finished in India, but they have become weak and their cadres are demoralised,” he said.
“Their interrogation has so far revealed plans to recruit young boys from Jharkhand, UP and Bihar to carry out terror strikes on vital installations and important personalities,” Kumar added.