According to ADG Brijlal, Salman, alias Chhotu, was wanted in connection with several bomb blasts in the country. “Chhotu was involved in a number of serial blasts, including those in Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Delhi. He had visited Pakistan in December 2009 on a fake passport (which he managed to procure during his stay in Nepal) to attend a terrorist training camp there. After training, he returned to Nepal in January this year,” the ADG claimed.
Central intelligence officials will soon grill Salman. According to sources, the intelligence agencies are gathering details about the reported conversation between Salman and Mohisin Choudhary, a top IM operative of the outfit’s west zone unit wanted in connection with the Ahmedabad blast, in connection with the Pune bomb attack. Sources revealed that Salman had been in constant touch with Mohisin and Riyaz Bhatkal, the co-founder of IM.
“After returning from Pakistan, Salman was assigned the job of strengthening IM modules in Bhadohi, Varanasi, Mau, Chandauli and Azamgarh districts of UP. Salman was staying in Nepal and monitoring the IM networks in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar. There are confirmed reports that he visited UP several times after returning from Pakistan,” the sources claimed. Salman also allegedly contacted Mohisin and Riyaz several times and discussed terror plans that top Lashkar-e-Tayyaba operatives wanted executed in India, the sources claimed.
“His interrogation will provide vital clues to the investigating agencies, especially regarding the LeT’s terror plans. Besides, his interrogation is expected to provide certain clues in connection with the Pune blast,” the sources alleged.
The source added that initial investigations into the Pune blast reveals that the plan hatched by the Pakistan-based LeT had been executed by IM militants. Security agencies are also collecting details about other 10 absconding IM militants suspected of involvement in the Delhi, Ahmedabad and Jaipur serial blasts in connection with the Pune bombing, said the sources. It has been revealed by Shahzad, a suspected IM militant recently arrested from Azamgarh in connection with the Delhi serial blasts, that a terrorist module of 13 people was responsible for the spate of terror attacks in India.
The sources said state police officials would also interrogate Salman. A Delhi police team is expected to arrive in Lucknow to interrogate Salman as he was also wanted in connection with the Delhi serial blasts, said sources.
Pramod Kumar and Amita Verma