Arrested IM terrorist confesses involvement in Sept 13 blasts

New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) In a major relief to the Delhi Police, one of the arrested accused of yesterday's encounter today confessed to his involvement, along with those killed, in the September 13 blasts in the capital.

Mohammad Saif, arrested after the encounter at Jamia Nagar, told during interrogation that Atif alias Bashir was an 'important leader' of the Indian Mujahideen (IM) and had masterminded the recent Delhi blasts, said a senior police official.

Saif in his confession also told the police that he along with ten others caused the Delhi blasts by planting bombs at various places and that the two who fled the encounter spot were Junaid and Shahzad.

''While Atif and Junaid planted bombs at Greater Kailash-I market, Zeeshan and Shajid had done it at Barakhamba Road, Shahzad at Children's Park at India Gate he (Saif) put it at the Regal theatre in Connaught Place,'' he said.

However, Saif said he did not know who planted the bomb at Karol Bagh, the officer added.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police arrested another suspect attached to the Indian Mujahideen from Jhandewalan area of Central Delhi last night, in connection with the blasts.

The accused Zeeshan Ahmed was on his way to a media channel's office, to speak on behalf of the IM on 'their version' of yesterday's encounter, said the police, adding that Zeeshan confessed to his involvement in planting one of the bombs in the recent blasts.

''He, along with Saif have been sent to judicial custody for 14 days police custody by a city court.'' Special Cell sleuths yesterday gunned down two IM terrorists -- Atif alias Bashir and Shajid -- at Jamia Nagar, following intelligence reports that blasts suspects were hiding there.

One Inspector of the Special Cell, Mohan Chandra Sharma, later died of bullet injuries and a Head Constable Balwant was still in hospital.

While Mohammad Saif was arrested two others -- Junaid and Shahzad -- had managed to flee the encounter site, the officer said.

This was the first ever encounter of the Indian Mujahideen with the police.

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