Bhatkal kin likely behind UP blast

A day after a low intensity improvised explosive device (IED) blast at Varanasi claimed one life while injuring several others, the Mumbai police on Wednesday put to rest speculations making rounds in connection with the e- mail allegedly sent by terror outfit Indian Mujahideen (IM). Addressing a press conference in the city, police commissioner Sanjeev Dayal revealed that the mail was sent through an unsecured WI- Fi connection hacked in Navi Mumbai.

Police strongly suspect that the blast was coordinated by the Bhatkal brothers- Riyaz and Iqbal Bhatkal, who are holed up in Pakistan, the commissioner added. The various agencies are now probing if people behind the attack are new recruits or someone who have been absconding since the revelation of their involvement in previous terror strikes. " The evidence gathered by the police in connection with the terror attack in Varanasi points to the involvement of Indian Mujahideen's Riyaz and Iqbal Bhatkal. The modus operandi points towards them," Dayal said, adding that till such time the Bhatkal brothers are not arrested, Mumbai will remain on high alert.

While disclosing that the email, in which the IM has claimed responsibility for the blast, was sent from Navi Mumbai, Dayal said, " The five- page mail was sent from an undisclosed location in Navi Mumbai. The blasts are likely to have been carried out by IM founders Riyaz and Iqbal." In 2008, the police had cracked down on IM and had arrested many of its operatives, added officials. However, many of those who were named in the charge sheets had gone underground.

Meanwhile, sources said the location from where the mail was sent was located at a Mansarovar building in Vashi.

In fact, the police picked up two people for interrogation, since the Wi- Fi connection was registered in their name. Dayal said, " The people who were called in for questioning, are innocent but were let- off following their interrogation." The modus used in this case resembles to the one previous used by the IM operatives when they had hacked into the unsecured Wi- Fi connection of a US national in Navi Mumbai, Khalsa College in Mumbai and an office in Chembur area.

Following the Tuesday's attack in UP, an alert was issued and security was increased in Mumbai. Dayal further stated, " We have beefed up the security in the city, following the alert issued by Central government." The police also stated that the case of hacking the internet connection and sending the mail will be probed further by the Mumbai and Navi Mumbai police in conjunction with the intelligence agencies.