Author: Neeraj Chauhan
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: February 22, 2010
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/any-new-im-attack-to-feature-batla-runaway-j/582678/
Alleged Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative Shahzad
Ahmad, who is in the custody of Delhi Police for the past 20 days now, has
reportedly told the Special Cell officers that his another accomplice, Ariz
Khan alias Junaid, who had escaped along with him from Batla House on September
19, 2008, is in touch with the IM bosses in Pakistan.
Sources in the Special Cell said, "Shahzad
has said that Junaid is in touch with IM's Amir Reza Khan and Riyaz Bhatkal
who are at present in Pakistan. He calls them from PCO booths. Though he says
he doesn't know the current plan or strategy of Bhatkal and Amir Reza Khan,
he says whatever it would be, Junaid would to be its important part."
This, Shahzad has reportedly told the police,
is because Junaid was the second-in-command after Atif Ameen, another of his
accomplice who died in the
Batla House shootout, in the Delhi module
and knew the contact numbers of IM bosses.
Shahzad's revelation holds huge significance
with IM link being suspected in last week's Pune blast. Earlier, Shehzad had
told the Delhi Police that Junaid could be hiding in Ballia (Uttar Pradesh)
as reported by The Indian Express on February 14.
Based on Shahzad's disclosure, the Special
Cell is preparing a lengthy Interrogation Report (IR) which will be shared
with the Intelligence Bureau and the Home Ministry.
According to intelligence agencies, IM, with
the help of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), is strengthening the outfit after the 2008
crackdown by the agencies. "Whenever the outfit will carry out any activity
in future now, we are sure that Junaid is going to be its important part.
Junaid had fired at Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma; he had conducted recce at
blast sites in Delhi, planted bombs and even decided the spots along with
Atif Ameen," said an officer.
Delhi Police took Shahzad in custody after
UP ATS picked him up from Azamgarh on February 1. He is under constant interrogation
since then, most recently in connection with the Pune blast.
