Saudi-based NRIs funded Mumbai blasts: ATS
Somit Sen, TNN, Aug 2, 2006, 01.15am ISTMUMBAI: More than nine lakh riyals - nearly Rs 1.2 crore - were transferred from Saudi Arabia to Mumbai in the past one year for the 7/11 blasts, said anti-Terrorists squad sources on Tuesday.
A part of the money was used over a period of six months to plan and execute the blasts on Mumbai's suburban
trains, which highly placed sources said was the job of Lashkar-e-Taiba, which had used ex-SIMI members.
An officer, involved with the 7/11 investigations, told TOI that NRIs in Saudi Arabia had funded the Gujarat Muslim Revenge Force in 2003, when it carried out twin explosions at Gateway of
India and Mumbadevi - killing 53 people.
"A similar group of NRIs funded the train blasts and the motive again is revenge for the Gujarat carnage. If you see a list of casualties, 12 men are Gujarati diamond brokers while 25 injured are Gujarati businessmen. The entire operation was meticulously planned and terrorists had studied the profile of passengers," the officer stated.
Sources told TOI the money was sent to India through hawala and at least a dozen locals were involved, including two from
Pune, two from Mumbai and one from Bihar. Those detained in this connection include Altaf and Badrul Jama, but a key operator, identified as Kamrul, is still absconding.
Police said while part of the funds received were used to carry out dry runs, to procure or transport material for explosives, to arrange accommodation and transport for operatives, a significant amount is still lying around.
A part of the money was used over a period of six months to plan and execute the blasts on Mumbai's suburban
trains, which highly placed sources said was the job of Lashkar-e-Taiba, which had used ex-SIMI members.
An officer, involved with the 7/11 investigations, told TOI that NRIs in Saudi Arabia had funded the Gujarat Muslim Revenge Force in 2003, when it carried out twin explosions at Gateway of
India and Mumbadevi - killing 53 people.
"A similar group of NRIs funded the train blasts and the motive again is revenge for the Gujarat carnage. If you see a list of casualties, 12 men are Gujarati diamond brokers while 25 injured are Gujarati businessmen. The entire operation was meticulously planned and terrorists had studied the profile of passengers," the officer stated.
Sources told TOI the money was sent to India through hawala and at least a dozen locals were involved, including two from
Pune, two from Mumbai and one from Bihar. Those detained in this connection include Altaf and Badrul Jama, but a key operator, identified as Kamrul, is still absconding.
Police said while part of the funds received were used to carry out dry runs, to procure or transport material for explosives, to arrange accommodation and transport for operatives, a significant amount is still lying around.
The ATS suspects some of the money has been stashed away in bank accounts and fixed deposits. At least 10 banks are under scanner and even the economic offences wing is looking into the matter.
The bank accounts of LeT's operator Faizal and Tanvir Ansari are being closely studied for
transactions in the past six months, sources said.
A senior ATS officer said investigators have got identities of those who planted explosives. He added, "There were only three planters and one chief co-ordinator. The chief's role was to time the bombs and wait in the subway at Churchgate station."
The modus was simple. The planters waited for the chief co-ordinator to give a bag and a 'go-ahead' signal following which they walked up to a platform and boarded a train. While one went in and kept the bag, the others provided a camouflage.
The trio got down just as the train left the platform and returned to the subway, where they picked up the next bag. Four bags were planted on platforms 3 and 4 and three on platforms 1 and 2. The four then escaped from the subway, police said.
Said an officer, "We are in the process of finding out names of the funders in Saudi. One of them is called Abu, but that is not his real name. It is just a title you acquire after receiving Lashkar training in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The bank accounts of LeT's operator Faizal and Tanvir Ansari are being closely studied for
transactions in the past six months, sources said.
A senior ATS officer said investigators have got identities of those who planted explosives. He added, "There were only three planters and one chief co-ordinator. The chief's role was to time the bombs and wait in the subway at Churchgate station."
The modus was simple. The planters waited for the chief co-ordinator to give a bag and a 'go-ahead' signal following which they walked up to a platform and boarded a train. While one went in and kept the bag, the others provided a camouflage.
The trio got down just as the train left the platform and returned to the subway, where they picked up the next bag. Four bags were planted on platforms 3 and 4 and three on platforms 1 and 2. The four then escaped from the subway, police said.
Said an officer, "We are in the process of finding out names of the funders in Saudi. One of them is called Abu, but that is not his real name. It is just a title you acquire after receiving Lashkar training in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
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