The Haryana Police today claimed a breakthrough in the terror attack on last month’s Samjhauta Express by arresting two persons from Indore, from where they said material for the timer-fitted firebombs was purchased.

On March 11, The Sunday Express had first reported how investigators had traced the six suitcases used to a dealer in Indore and also identified the tailor who stitched the covers.

The 24-inch suitcases were purchased from Abhinandan, a bag-shop owned by Zainuddin, a Bohra Muslim in Kothari Market. Huzefa Halim Ali, nephew of the shopowner, and Puran Singh Thakur, an employee, were taken into custody by the Haryana police team which had been camping there for close to two weeks.

Haryana’s additional DGP V N Rai confirmed the arrests but refused to elaborate. The Haryana Police secured a transit remand by producing the duo before an Indore court.

Rai, who had joined the investigating team a couple of days ago at Indore, called on state DGP A R Puar before leaving late on Monday. “He was very cooperative and assured all help,” Rai said of his meeting with the state police chief.

The investigating team, which left on Tuesday, had interrogated the two several times over the last few days. Huzefa is said to have told the police he did not know who purchased the suitcases.