Arrested blast suspects remanded to police custody

Mumbai, July 26 (UNI) A local court today remanded two more suspects arrested yesterday, in connection with the July 11 serial blasts case in the Mumbai suburban train, to police custody till August seven.

Anti-Terrorist Squad personnel during the day produced Zamir Ahmed Latif (31) and Sohail Mohammed Shaikh (38) before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate A M Garade and sought their custody. Both the suspects told the court that they do not have any connection to the July 11 blasts.

ATS had apprehended up Zameer from Worli area here while Sohail was taken into custody from Pune.

Both of them were detained by the police three days ago for questioning and were formally arrested by ATS yesterday morning.

According to investigations, Sohail allegedly visited Pakistan in 2003, while Zahir visited the neighbouring nation last year. The duo are alleged to have undergone weapons' and explosive training there and both of them are members of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).

ATS also said Dr Ansari, who was arrested on Monday was instrumental in sending Zahir to Pakistan via Tehran. Also, Zahir allegedly played a vital role in transporting RDX and other weapons from Ratnagiri to Aurangabad in May this year.

The ATS in the last two weeks have arrested a total of six suspects Mohammed Kalam Ansari (Bihar), Mohammed Khalil Sheikh (Bihar), Mumtaz Chaudhary (Navi Mumbai), Dr Tanvir Ahmed Ansari (Mumbai) Sohail Sheikh (Pune) and Zahir Ahmed Shaikh (Mumbai) in connection with the blasts.

Preliminary investigations by Crime Branch sleuths and ATS has revealed a similar pattern of charges on all the six accused of having strong leanings with the outlawed Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and visiting Pakistan for explosive and weapons training in the last few years.

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