‘Indore terror outfit behind three blasts’

A CBI probe has established the alleged involvement of an Indore-based terror module in executing the May 2007 Mecca mosque blast in Hyderabad, the October 2007 Ajmer Sufi shrine blast in Rajasthan two years ago, and the September 2008 Malegaon blast in Maharashtra, reports Abhishek Sharan.

A CBI probe has established the alleged involvement of an Indore-based terror module in executing the May 2007 Mecca mosque blast in Hyderabad, the October 2007 Ajmer Sufi shrine blast in Rajasthan two years ago, and the September 2008 Malegaon blast in Maharashtra.

HT Image

The three blasts were executed by this module’s core team comprising its “brain”, former RSS volunteer in Mhow Sunil Joshi, who is now dead, “ bomb-maker” Ramji Kalsangra, “facilitator” Devendra Gupta, “planter” Sameer Dange and cleric Asimanand, said a senior investigator. He added, “Kalsangra made the bombs used in the Mecca, Ajmer blasts… and the Malegaon blast.”

First dry run

According to the investigator, Joshi and Kalsangra “first used” their characteristic bomb technology, used later in the Meeca, Ajmer blast, on December 23, 2003 in Bhopal. Kalsangra and Josh had planted this device at a spot near the venue of a Muslim congregation — Ijtema — at Ghansipura but it was defused by the police.

The bomb was made of explosives including RDX and TNT, packed in cylindrical metal pipes, connected with wires to a mobile phone set, whose alarm functioned as the trigger device on receiving a call.

The sim cards

The module began preparing for its attacks, allegedly to target Muslims, months before the Mecca blast.

Before they carried out the blast, Joshi and Kalsangra had visited Gupta’s home in Jamtada (West Bengal). Based on documents provided by Gupta, including a driving licence, they bought SIM cards that were used to activate mobile phone sets, said the investigator.

Investigators suspect Malegaon blast accused Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit gave technical inputs to Ramji to execute the blasts. Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur had sold her bike to Joshi, which was used by Kalsangra in the Malegaon blast.