Maharashtra ATS claims to have solved 13/7 Mumbai terror attack case

Mumbai, Jan 23 (ANI): The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Monday claimed that it had solved the 13/7 Mumbai blast case after a exhaustive search spanning 18 states, examination of 12,373 witnesses and the viewing of 180 CCTV camera footages.

Addressing a press conference here, ATS chief Rakesh Maria confirmed the arrest of two accused. He identified them as Naqi Ahmad and Nadeem Akhtar and said one was arrested in Mumbai and the other in Bihar.

"They are aged 22 and 23 respectively," he added.

He also said that the ATS is seeking a transfer warrant from a court for a third accused, who has been identified as Haroon Rashid Naik.

Maria said that after investigations, the Mumbai ATS had come to the conclusion that Yasin Bhatkal of the terror outfit Indian Mujahideen (IM) was the mastermind behind the blast. Maria added that he financed the operation and played a big hand in the indoctrination of the accused.

Three powerful IED blasts rocked Mumbai's bustling Zaveri Bazaar, Opera House and Dadar areas within a span of 30 minutes on July 13, 2011, killing 27 and wounding 137 others.

The serial blasts rocked Opera House at 6.54 p.m., Zaveri Bazaar, a popular jewellery market, at 6.55 p.m., and Kabutar Khana, Dadar, at 7.06 p.m. (ANI)