Author: Neeta Sharma
Publication: The Hindustan Times
Date: May 10, 2002
Abu Salem, accused in the Bombay
serial blasts, may now be fomenting trouble in riot-torn Gujarat. The Intelligence
Bureau (IB) and other investigative agencies are interrogating two of his
associates, Sajjan Soni and Pawan Mittal, arrested in Delhi this week.
The IB plans to interrogate them
further on Salem's activities in Gujarat.
According to a police official,
Soni and Mittal have said Salem had met them in Malaysia in March and briefed
them about operations he wanted to be carried out in Delhi and elsewhere.
They have also admitted that both
have been in touch with Salem ever since. "They used to talk to him every
other day and report on the operations," he said.
The police has no information on
Salem's current whereabouts. The number they called has been traced to
Armenia. However, say officials, it could be arranged through a conference
call to look like the number was in Armenia, and it does not prove the
Salem is indeed in that country.
Soni and Mittal are also being interrogated
about Salem's terrorist and underworld links.
Sources say Salem is back in business,
after a short break. They add that over the past two years, Salem and his
friend, Bhudesh, have set up safe houses in Bahrain, Nairobi, Kenya and
Zurich. Salem, helped by his influential parents-in-law, has also procured
a US visa.
"His exact location is not known.
At times he is in Bahrain, while at other times, he is in the US. He keeps
on moving," said the police official.
According to him, intelligence agencies
here have identified and located more of Salem's associates and plan on
arresting them. "They (Soni and Mittal) were just the facilitators, now
we're looking for the coordinators who planned the operations," said a
source.