'Probe into Hyd twin blasts progressing well'

Hyderabad, Mar 7 (UNI) With the arrest of suspected ISI agent Mohtasin Billa and suspected bomb planter in one of the August 25 twin blasts Raziuddin Nasir, who was brought here by the city police from Bangalore, investigation in the case seems to be progressing in the right direction, official sources said.

The sources said special police teams would interrogate Billa, who was arrested on March 5 in the city, and Nasir in connection with the twin blasts case.

They said Nasir, the alleged Harkat-Ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) militant, had, during his recent narco tests in Bangalore, revealed that 'Fidayeens' were planning to trigger blasts in the city using oil tankers.

Based on his revelations, Billa, Nasir's childhood friend, was arrested, as the police suspected his role in the August 25 blasts.

''There was some progress in the blasts probe after Nasir was taken into custody. However, we cannot come to a conclusion that the two arrested persons have planted the bombs. Police interrogation will reveal further information like their connection with the terrorist organisation and role in twin blasts and May 18 Mecca blast, which together claimed more than 50 lives and left over 100 injured,''they said.

Nasir was arrested at Davangere district in Karnataka on the charge of vehicle theft recently. Billa was the brother of Mujahid, who was shot dead by the police during a violent protest before the State Director General of Police office in 2004 in Hyderabad.

Billa faced several cases, including one for his alleged involvement in an attack on police personnel, leading to open firing at the DGP office in 2004.

UNI AP VA GD AKJ HT1420