Sticky bomb: Man held in Malaysia had Indian visa

After the Indian embassy discovered that Masoud had applied for,and secured,an Indian visa,a major investigative effort followed — which led to the arrest of journalist Syed Mohammed Ahmed Kazmi,and the identification of Houshang Afsar Irani,the prime suspect.

The names of two other Iranians — Seyed Ali Mahdiansadr and Mohammareza Abolghasemi — emerged from Kazmi’s interrgotation.

It is learnt that by Friday evening,Delhi Police had obtained a non-bailable warrant against Masoud,who is currently in the custody of the Malaysian police. He is believed to be the head of the module,and allegedly planned the attacks. Technical investigations of phone records have confirmed that he was in direct touch with Houshang Afsar Irani.

Thailand has already sought Masoud’s extradition. India will now begin its own efforts to get access to Masoud through the Interpol as well as regular diplomatic channels.

While Masoud had an Indian visa,investigators have still not found evidence of his having visited India,sources said. Efforts are on to check if he travelled on a different passport or under a different name.

Irani,the man who is suspected to have planted the sticky bomb on Israeli diplomat Tal-Yehoshua Koren’s car,however,had made two visits to India. The first visit was apparently last April; the other in late January. It was at the end of the second visit that he allegedly carried out the attack. He left for Malaysia on February 13,hours after the attack,and from there fled to Iran.

It is learnt that one of Irani’s visits — probably the first one — was for the purpose of medical treatment,during which he developed an acquaintance with a woman who is said to have cooperated with police in the investigations. Sources said she was not an accomplice,but someone with whom Irani spent time. The motorcycle used in the attack,sources said,was obtained through the hotel in Paharganj where Irani stayed. He would often rent the bike — as he did on February 13.