ATS, cops hot on Mohsin's heels

Sleuths intensify hunt for Indian Mujahideen founder across the state

THE Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) has intensified its efforts to trace Mohsin Choudhary, believed to be one of the founders of the Indian Mujahideen (IM), following Tuesday*s blast in Varanasi.

Mohsin is wanted in connection with the Ahmedabad and Delhi serial blasts as well as the Pune German Bakery blast.

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Mohsin Choudhary is wanted in connection with the Ahmedabad and Delhi serial blasts as well as the Pune German Bakery blast and Police Commissioner Sanjeev Dayal

Senior ATS officials said that after the Varanasi blast, sleeper cells of IM are regrouping in rural Maharashtra. City Police Commissioner Sanjeev Dayal said that the prime suspects of the blast are the IM*s Bhatkal brothers.

Pak handlers

Dayal said the handlers of the outlawed organisation are in Pakistan and are running the show from there.
"Preliminary investigation indicates the terror mail has IM*s footprint.
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Joint efforts are on with the Navi Mumbai police to establish which IM module hacked into the unsecured Wi-Fi connection in the satellite city and sent the mail.

The main players (of the IM) are sitting in Pakistan and are running the game from there," said Dayal.

Bhatkals at large

According to the police, Riyaz Bhatkal and his brother Iqbal Bhatkal are founder members of the IM.

Dayal said several IM members were arrested in 2008 by the Mumbai Crime Branch and many others have been classified as wanted criminals.

"We are investigating whether the wanted ones are behind the e-mail or there is a new module altogether.
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Before the arrest of many IM members in 2008, the organisation may have surveyed several areas looking for unsecured Wi-Fi connections," he said.

The commissioner said the terror e-mail was sent from a house in Navi Mumbai and the owner of the Wi-Fi connection was innocent.

Meanwhile, state DGP D Sivanandan held a meeting with Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Ahmad Javed, Dayal and some senior crime branch officials to take stock of the investigation yesterday.

2008
The year in which the Indian Mujahideen terror module was busted by the police. Several members were arrested and are currently facing trial in various courts across the country