Five in net, behind every major attack: Police

Mumbai, September 24: Making five arrests since last night, the Mumbai Police today announced they had uncovered the backbone of a Terror module responsible for a majority of terror attacks since 2005.

Investigators claimed the men were part of an Indian Mujahideen group which was involved in the serial blasts in New Delhi, Ahmedabad and Bangalore, the 7/11 Mumbai train bombings, the blasts on Shramjeevi Express, at the Sankatmochan temple and railway station in Varanasi, at Lumbini Park and Gokul Chaat Bhandar in Hyderabad, in a Lucknow court and at Gorakhpur. “Practically all” blasts since 2005, according to investigators.

Those arrested have been identified as Afzal Mutalib Usmani (32), Mohammed Sadiq Israr Sheikh (32), Mohammed Arif Sheikh (31), Mohammed Zakir Sheikh (28) and Sheikh Mohammed Ansar (31). While Sadiq is a programme engineer, Ansar is a computer engineer. It is alleged that Arif fixed the electronic circuits in the bombs used in the serial blasts. All with roots in Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, they have been remanded in police custody until October 7.

Sadiq was arrested from Nehru Nagar, Arif from Kurla, Ansar from Chembur, all three central suburbs in Mumbai. Zakir was arrested from Bhiwandi while Afzal was arrested from Bel Tara in Mau district of UP.

According to investigators, Mohammed Sadiq Israr Sheikh controlled the group. Sadiq is believed to have planned all the group’s attacks along with Atif, one of the two killed in the New Delhi encounter on September 19. A third name of a founder member of the Indian Mujahideen was also announced: Roshan Khan, who is currently on the run.

Sadiq, Atif and Roshan Khan formed the core thinktank of the Indian Mujahideen.

Police said the five arrested men received training from the Lashkar-e-Toiba and Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami in Pakistan and Bangladesh and were controlled by a man in Pakistan identified as Ameer Razaq. “We have evidence to show that Sadiq was constantly in touch with him,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Rakesh Maria.

Razaq’s brother Asif Razaq, who is an associate of Aftab Ansari, is an accused in the American Centre attacks in Kolkata.

The arrests came after the Crime Branch started rounding up car thieves operating in and around the city following the Gujarat terror strikes. During this probe, the police learnt of Afzal and arrested him from Bel Tara railway station as he was about to board a train. During his interrogation, Afzal spilled the beans, leading to the arrest of the other four.

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Police, keep it up by observer on 2008-09-25 15:34:35.480399+05:30
I find there is a better system in mumbai policing than rest of the country. They act tough throughout the year and that is what a system demands.Now, the people on the top of the affairs should give them the guarded hand , so that they can act faster and bring cheers to them and all of us. Courts should trial these people in time bound manner and suggest exemplary punishment wherever demands arise. Mercy plea should be dealt in a time bound manner. We should remember nothing will be lost by punishing the people at the right moment which will send healthy signals to all the people.

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Mumbai police by observer on 2008-09-25 09:48:00.096373+05:30
The Mumbai Police have once again proved they are competent provided they are allowed to act.I feel really grateful to this force for making Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra safe for its citizens.It is not for nothing that people from UP,Bihar and from the rest of India make a beeline to settle down here.For all of Maharashtra's drawbacks, our lives and livelihood is much safer here than in other parts of India.Inspite of what the media says,even the various minorities have a lot of faith in the state police in general and Mumbai police in particular.I only hope politicians,self styled minority champions and the human rights organisations now don't pressurise them into inaction and impotence.

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Five in in net... by Aravind on 2008-09-25 09:41:52.673828+05:30
Sir, We hope, give out such information do not hamper further investigation, as there must be many more involved in such an operation. We are in war with terrorists sponsored and financed by our enemies and this has been going on for some time; now our emenies have become financially and technically and manpower-wise more prosperous. We better waste no more time.

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Well done Mumbai Police! by Raj Mak on 2008-09-25 09:05:26.879998+05:30
This is a great breakthrough... ! If the police are saying the truth, then really 'der aaye durust aaye'. We must acknowledge and recognize the whole polic team behind this. We must give fast and exemplary punishment to these people. The recent movie Wednesday shows one possible way to do that... :-)

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Stern Action Of Our MumbaiPolice by P.S.Deshpande on 2008-09-25 09:04:44.56503+05:30
"Good Work" Done By Mumbai Police, They Have proved They are "No1" in India "Congrzulations On Behalf of People Of Karnatak To Mumbai Police" And As Citizens of India We Salute their Bravery. Please do Honour the Team. But The Punishment should be Death by Hanging to all Terrorists.Jai Hind, Vande Mataram, Long Live India.Jai Bharath Mata

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Awesome Mumbai Police by Pratik on 2008-09-25 05:21:47.317363+05:30
Mumbai Police are the BEST!! Looks like Maria solved another Major terror case.I absolutely dont mind watching another movie on the awesome Rakesh Maria (ref black friday)!!

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Five in net by pradeep on 2008-09-25 04:18:45.364503+05:30
Hey Cong-I. What you have to say.

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JAI BHARAT by BHARATIYA on 2008-09-25 03:39:35.541505+05:30
The murderers are afterall caught! salute to Mumbai Police, now its time for the Judiciary to act fast and convict the murderers with death penalty!!!!!!

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Lot to do by Srinivas on 2008-09-25 03:24:11.430451+05:30
It is hard to believe that such a small group can operate through out India. There must be lot of local people supporting them in each state. I think police have plenty of job to do. Today McCain and Obama are joining hands to put the American economy on road to progress again. Hope our politicians learn a lesson from that and join hands to keep the country secure.

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