1993 Mumbai blasts: Two arrested by Nepal Police

Kathmandu, Sep 6: Nepal police have arrested two persons in connection with the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts from Kathmandu. The police nabbed Salim Abdul Gani Gazi alias Asfak Ahmad Shah Asfak and Riaz Khatri alias Riyaz Abubakar Khatri, who is also known as Riaz Ahmad Lone. The duo was hunted down in the Maharajgunj area of the capital on the basis of a tip-off received by police. Khatri is believed to have been Dawood''s driver while Gazi, believed to have close links to Chhota Shakeel, carried a reward of Rs 200, 000 for his capture.

The police handed them over to the Indian government via the Indian embassy on Friday.

According to sources there was a high priority Interpol red-corner notice against them on charges of murders, attempts to murder, criminal conspiracies and involvement in terrorist activities.

Investigations show that they had been living in Nepal for a long time under different names and were operating as manpower agent and pashmina trader in the city.

They had fled India after the March 12, 1993 blasts and had diverted operations to Nepal for over 10 years.

ANI