Suspected militant Mohammad Aslam, who was arrested last week in Delhi with a cache of explosives, was reportedly a member of the banned outfit SIMI before he joined the Lashkar-e-Toiba. Official sources in the Delhi Police say the 27-year-old was involved in the supply of weapons which were recovered in a major haul in Aurangabad in 2006.

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) had arrested three persons at the time, who were accused of bringing in 32 kg of explosives, including 30 kg RDX, and 10 AK-47 rifles. The Delhi Police say that Aslam, who was allegedly named by the three, gave the ATS the slip at that time and fled to Pakistan. He reportedly returned to India last week.

Aslam was arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police from the New Delhi Railway Station, and reportedly had on him 6 kg of explosives, detonators and timers at the time. He was believed to be again heading for Maharashtra with the consignment.

Officials say that following the Aurangabad haul, the ATS had alerted all states to look out for Aslam. Police are also investigating if he had a hand in the blast that took place at an Ahmedabad railway station in February 2006.

"Aslam is an expert in ferrying explosives sent by Lashkar commanders to various parts of India. Before he joined the Lashkar, he was involved with the SIMI in Lucknow from 2002 to 2005 and visited several parts of the country meeting Lashkar operatives. After his name figured in the 2006 arms catch at Aurangabad, he fled to Pakistan and then stayed there for three years," a source said, adding that during his stint in Pakistan, Aslam received extensive training, including in carrying out suicide attacks.

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