He was rich and a trained pilot

Shahzad alias Pappu, accused in the September 13, 2008 serial blasts in Delhi that claimed 26 lives, knew how to fly a plane and was supposed to go to Australia for further training as a commercial pilot.

Shahzad (21) alias Pappu, accused in the September 13, 2008 serial blasts in Delhi that claimed 26 lives, knew how to fly a plane and was supposed to go to Australia for further training as a commercial pilot.

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According to Delhi Police he had his passport ready and was going to fly to Australia in a few days time.

“Pappu took money for his commercial pilot training course from his father who is a wealthy businessman based in Saudi Arabia,” said a senior police officer on the condition of anonymity, as he is not authorized to speak to the media.

According to police, the Special Cell of the Delhi Police would be bringing Pappu to the Capital from Lucknow on Wednesday. He would be first produced before the court and then taken on remand.

Pappu carries a reward of Rs. 5 lakh and was named in five charge sheets regarding the serial blasts filed by Delhi Police in a court here. He was accused of planting bombs at India Gate and Karol Bagh.

Police say Pappu also owns a four-acre plot in Azamgarh. “He is from a rich family and joined Indian Mujahideen after he was approached by Atif Ameen, the ops chief of IM killed at Batla House encounter.”