Militants involved in Rajdhani Express blast arrested

Lucknow, June 24 (UNI) The Special Task Force of the Uttar Pradesh Police today arrested two members of an alleged Mujjahidin IslAM-al-Hind gang who were involved in the 1993 serial blasts in the Rajdhani Express trains in the country.

The STF personnel arrested Mohammad Salim and Aslam here this afternoon with the duo also charged with supply explosive to blow up Lucknow-Delhi bus near Sitapur on May 26 last. However, they could not place the explosives inside the bus.

SSP (STF) Amitabh Yash here said both the accused were residents of the adjoining Hardoi district and were linked with Mujjahidin Islam-al-Hind outfit.

A home-made rifle, two pistols, three mobile phones, eight fake driving licences and 45 vehicle keys were recovered from them.

During interrogation, Salim admitted that he had supplied the explosives and was involved in a fake currency racket.

The SSP said the outfit became active after 1993 when the CBI announced a reward of Rs 25,000 on Mohammad Tufail, involved in serial train blasts.

The outfit was floated in Lucknow in 1992 by Jamal Alvi, who along with Tufail, is absconding.

Yesterday, Jalaluddin alias Babu, a mastermind of several blasts in the country in the recent past, along with Naushad, was arrested after an encounter in Wazirganj police station area.

Altogether nine kg of RDX, an AK 47 assault rifle, along with several firearms, were recovered from their possession.

On Thursday, the STF had arrested two other militants of the same gang, Mohammad Yakub and Nasir, along with seven kg RDX and different equipment meant for carrying out blasts.

UNI