ATS seals room at Byculla where 13/7 suspects stayed

The anti-terrorism squad (ATS) on Tuesday morning sealed room number 53 at Habib building, Byculla.

The anti-terrorism squad (ATS) on Tuesday morning sealed room number 53 at Habib building, Byculla.

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The police suspect that two men, Waqar and Tabrez, who they believe are from Pakistan and played a role in the July 13, 2011 blasts, lived in the room for the past 11 months.

The police also suspect that prime accused in the blast, Yasin Bhatkal alias Shahrukh, visited the two in this room often. Locals said that on Tuesday, nearly 15-20 policemen dressed in plain clothes entered the building around 8.30am and searched the room for over an hour.

Mohammed Abrar, a resident of the building said, "They spoke to the neighbours. But apart from that they did not interact with anyone else. They had a key to the room, which was probably given to them by the room's owner, Rubina," he said.

Taibunisa, who lives in the room in front of room 53, said she they searched the room and left with three to four bags containing clothes, papers and some CDs. "They spoke to me, asked about my husband and about the duo that lived in room 53," she said.

The police have questioned Sultan and Rubina. The ATS remains tight-lipped on the issue.

Sources said a high-level meeting was conducted on Tuesday in which senior officials from the state police and the state home ministry were present. The state police refused to comment on the issue.