Graduates with a killer degree

One is a BA final year student, another is pursuing MBA and the third is a student of MA. And the police say they were all involved in planting explosives in Delhi and Ahmedabad

Zia-ur-Rehman (22)
A resident of Joga Bai Extension in Jamia Nagar, he is a BA-III student (Political Science, Sociology and Islamic Studies) at Jamia Millia Islamia University. He is also pursuing a DOEACC A-Level course, for which he had enrolled himself at NICT Institute in Okhla. His father Abdur Rehman is a stenographer with the Public Works Department (PWD) in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Police say Zia planted one of the bombs at Central Park in Connaught Place, on September 13. He was also allegedly involved in planting explosives in Ahmedabad on July 26. Police say he came back to Delhi with the alleged Indian Mujahideen (IM) mastermind Atif after carrying out the blasts.

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Saqib Nissar (23)
A resident of Abul Fazal Enclave in Shaheen Bagh, he was pursuing MBA from Sikkim Manipal University. He had also worked with Talent Pro, a recruitment firm at Nehru Place. He graduated from Jamia Millia Islamia University with an Economics Honours degree. He is also pursuing a software course from a private institute in South Extension. Police say he was the all-rounder face of the terror module. He chatted on the Internet and had several friends. He allegedly planted one of the bombs at Gaffar Market. However, police say, the bomb Nissar planted did not go off as it had developed some problem. Police are probing his role in sending the terror e-mails before every serial blast across the country.

Followed strict ‘dress code”
Police say Atif had given strict instructions to his recruits not to sport long hair or beards and they were asked to look like regular teenagers. They were specifically asked not to wear skullcaps or move suspiciously in a crowded place.

Celebrated the blasts
Police claim that, after planting the bombs, the bombers returned to their L-18 flat in Jamia Nagar and flipped the television channels to see the damage done by them. They had fun and mocked the bomber whose explosives did not cause much damage.

Longed for blast stories
Police say the IM members used to feel bored when they found no mention of bombings in cities. They would say, “akhbaar bada soona soona lag raha hai, kuch kiya jaaye (there’s nothing interesting in the papers; let’s do something).”