Rajasthan police says Shahbaz Hussain among masterminds in serial blasts

Jaipur, Aug 26 : Shahbaz Hussain, the main suspect in Jaipur serial blasts was one of the masterminds in terror attacks involving five states, including in Gujarat which happened last month, Director General of Police K S Bains said here today.

Bains said at a press conference here, "Shahbaz Hussain alias Shanu has played a very important role in the blasts that claimed 68 lives in Jaipur and he has got strong linkage with Abu Bashar arrested from Azamgarh (Uttar Pradesh) and Sajid Mansoori from Gujarat in connection with Ahmedabad blasts."

He said that after interrogating and grilling Sajid Mansoori and Mufti Abul, the police found that the bomb blasts plan was made at a Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) meeting in Bhopal in April 2008, which was attended by Taukeer, Sajid and Shahbaz.

Bains further added that Shahbaz and Taukeer had come to Jaipur in this connection.

"The modus operandi of the entire blasts in Jaipur is a part of investigation and interrogation but this is for sure that Shahbaz is the main link in planning, conspiring, and execution of the bomb blasts", he said.

The DIG also did not rule out the role of local people of Jaipur and said that local involvement had to be probed along with other investigations by SIT and SOG.

ANI