Author: Rahul Tripathi
Publication: The Times of India
Date: September 22, 2008
'Mastermind' Atiq Ameen alias Bashir, who
like many others involved in the IMSIMI operations, hails from UP's Azamgarh,
was determined to carry on with his "war" against India and was
apparently confident of procuring and assembling the explosives needed to
carry out his next terror venture. Along with other bombers, he has come across
as revelling in the destruction and death caused by IM-SIMI.
H G S Dhaliwal, DCP South, said the three suspected terrorists were arrested
from Jamia Nagar on Sunday after suspicions were aroused during the questioning
of Zia (22) who helped Atiq get the rented accommodation at Batla House for
Rs 7,000. "Zia claimed he knew Mohsin Nisar, the owner of the house which
did not seem correct. It made us doubt him. Later, he disclosed his involvement
in the blasts. He revealed the name of Saquib and Shakeel, after which the
two were also arrested," said Dhaliwal.
THE CONSPIRATORS
The three-Zia-ur-Rehman, Mohammad Shakeel
and Saquib Nisar-were jointly interrogated and revealed they were involved
in the Delhi blasts. They further revealed their involvement in the Ahmedabad
blasts.
So far, the police said, Shakeel had emerged
as the man who indoctrinated youths for jihad. A final year student of MA
(economics), he was responsible for planting a bomb near Ghaffar Market. Shakeel
also said he had been to Ahmedabad with Atif and planted cycle bombs in Maninagar
area, which is part of CM Narendra Modi's constituency.
Abdur Rehman was the caretaker of the house
(L-18). His son Zia came in contact with Atiq through Saquib four years ago.
Zia was the main logistics provider for Atif, and planted bombs at Central
Park.
Saquib Nisar is an MBA distance learning student
from Sikkim Manipal University. He had also worked in a job recruitment company
at Nehru Place. He could not go to plant a bomb on September 13 as he noticed
some defect in the explosive, the police said.
TECH-SAVVY MASTERMIND ATIQ
The three revealed that Atiq had done BSc
(IT) from IACM institute in Ghazibad and had a sharp mind for technology.
Atif used to direct movements of the module. Atiq was also in touch with several
other people, including a "highly-educated'' person who used to write
emails for the group and sent them from hacked Wi-Fi accounts in Mumbai. Cops
have zeroed in on a cyber expert in Mumbai who was hired for the job and he
will be arrested soon.
Police said Atiq, Shakeel and Saquib had
also conducted a recce of the September 13 blast sites a day earlier.
