Mecca Masjid blast accused also linked to Samjhauta train attack: NIA
Rajinder Nagarkoti, TNN, Dec 21, 2010, 02.49pm IST
The NIA has claimed that Hyderabad's Mecca Masjid blast accused, Swami Asimanand, was also involved in the Feb 2007 Samjhauta train blasts that killed 68 people.
PANCHKULA: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has claimed that Hyderabad's Mecca Masjid blast accused, Swami Asimanand was also involved in the February 2007 Samjhauta train blasts that killed 68 people, mostly Pakistanis. The agency procured a warrant from a court here to produce the suspect for further questioning in the case.
Sources said that NIA, in its application submitted to the additional district and sessions court (a special court for Samjhauta blasts case), stated that it had sufficient evidence against the Swami. Accepting their plea, Judge Ritu Garg granted a production warrant till January 3.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had arrested 59-year-old Swami on November 19 from Haridwar in connection with the blast at the historic Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad on May 18, 2007. Nine persons were killed in the explosion. Sources said, during his interrogation by CBI sleuths, the Swami had reportedly admitted his involvement in Samjhauta Express blasts.
Sixty-eight people were killed when bombs were set off in two coaches of cross-country Samjhauta Express around midnight on February 18, 2007 at Diwana near Panipat. Only 38 victims could be identified and most of them were Pakistani nationals on their return journey to Lahore. Investigation into the blasts had found that six firebombs along with timers, which were kept inside six suitcases, were purchased from an outlet in Indore.
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