Author: Deeptiman Tiwary
Publication: Mumbai Mirror
Date: September 28, 2008
URL: http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?Page=article§id=2&contentid=2008092820080928041817590f1381896
Introduction: Crime Branch says Indian Mujahideen
founder member Sadiq has trained 30 young men who are lying low in Mumbai,
waiting to strike
There may still be about 30 potential terrorists
lurking in and around the city waiting to strike.
This chilling fact cropped up during interrogation
of Mohammed Sadiq Sheikh, alleged mastermind of about 11 blasts since 2005,
including those in Ahmedabad and Delhi. The Mumbai crime branch is now trying
to trace these men.
According to the crime branch, Sadiq revealed
that before being arrested he recruited 30 young Muslim men in the Indian
Mujahideen. These men have been imparted training, and are lying low and latent
in and around the city.
Crime branch chief Rakesh Maria said, "Sadiq
has trained about 30 young recruits. They have been drawn both from Mumbai
and Azamgarh, and other places as well. We are trying to trace these men who
could be in and around the city."
Among the five men arrested by the crime branch
recently, Sadiq is said to be Indian Mujahideen's founder member and is responsible
for recruitments. The police say those recruited by Sadiq are in the 20-30
age group, in keeping with Indian Mujahideen's tradition of recruiting only
young men.
The revelation has now heightened the threat
for Mumbai, even as the city was already on high alert following an email
threat by Indian Mujahideen that Mumbai was their next target.
It is probably for this reason that the police,
despite busting an Indian Mujahideen module, are not ruling out an attack.
Maria said, "There are still many men
out there so a threat to the city cannot be ruled out."
Also, with Roshan Khan, alias Riyaz Bhatkal,
alleged founder of the Indian Mujahideen at large, the possibility of the
recruits striking is quite strong, say the police.
A crime branch officer said, "Riyaz was
the one who arranged for finances and explosives and also gave instructions
about terror attacks in consultation with Sadiq. It is possible these men
are still in touch with Riyaz and that is a cause for concern."
AFZAL USED THANE CAR TO STEAL NAVI MUMBAI
CARS
Meanwhile, the crime branch has learnt during
investigations that Afzal Usmani, accused of having stolen the four cars used
for the Ahmedabad blasts, had stolen a Maruti Zen car from Kapurbawdi area
of Thane and used it to search for the cars needed for the Ahmedabad blasts.
Afzal had been given a contract by Riyaz Bhatkal
to find four cars fitted with CNG to be used in Ahmedabad.
For the purpose, Afzal first stole a car from
Kapurbawdi and used it to find suitable cars that could be stolen. Afzal has
been booked for the Kapurbawdi car theft as well.
