Seven accused in 7/11 blasts retract confessions

Mumbai, Oct 9 (UNI) Seven of the 13 accused in the 7/11 serial train blasts today retracted their confessional statements in a special court, alleging they were taken under pressure by police.

Those who retracted the statements are Dr Tanvir Ansari, Muzamil Sheikh, Faizal Sheikh, Kamal Asari, Zamir Sheikh, Ethesham Siddiqui and Sohail Ahmed Sheikh.

When counsel of the anti-terrorist squad (ATS) did not seek extension of their police remand, Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court judge Mrudulla Bhatkar sent them to judicial custody till October 20.

Earlier, when the Judge asked the accused if they had anything to say, they alleged ''police torture ,'' adding ATS personnel had taken their confessions by resorting to third-degree methods, and that they would now like to retract the same.

Besides the 13 accused, police have arrested another three people for their alleged involvement in the blasts in which 188 commuters lost their lives and over 800 were injured.

Police said Faizal, Lashkar-e-Taiba's commander for western India, had undergone intensive training in the terror outfit's camps in in Pakistan three times during the last five years under the supervision of Azam Cheema, LeT's India incharge, who is based in Bahawalpur. Faizal, an dropout from a Pune polytechnic, also scouted and sent accomplices for training in these camps. These include his younger brother Muzammil, a software professional.

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