Blasts: SIMI's Hubli meeting was key

First Bengalaru, then Ahmedabad and now Delhi. Terror has stuck India thrice in a span of six weeks.

Investigations conducted in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have one common conclusion -- that all the three blasts (Bengalaru, Ahmedabad and Delhi) were planned at the same time. The men arrested in these states have revealed that the idea was to strike in quick succession.

Riazuddin Nasir, who was arrested in Karnataka in connection with a terror plot, states clearly in his confession statement that the terrorists had planned a series of attacks in the country. A major convention of Students Islamic Movement of India activists was held in Hubli, northern Karnataka, to plan these attacks.

During his narcoanalysis test, Kamruddin Nagori, SIMI chief Safdar Nagori's brother, revealed information about the Hubli meeting where several attacks were planned. Although Nasir and Kamruddin Nagori mentioned that attacks would carried out in Karnataka, Gujarat and Delhi, they did not reveal the time-frame for the attacks.

Nasir revealed that all material for the blasts was kept ready. A camp near the Hubli bus stand was held to train the terrorists. The busy location was chosen deliberately, so that no one would doubt their activities. Many people were trained by Abdul Subhan, who has emerged as the Indian Mujhaideen's technical mastermind.

Immediately

after the camp ended, the terrorists left for their respective destinations. The bombs were prepared, packed and then transported to the cities targeted for the attacks.

All the terrorists were told to await instructions, then connect the devices and plant the bombs at various sites.

Intelligence Bureau sources say the manner in which the attacks have taken place indicate that the terrorists were ready to strike at the chosen locations at any time. They add that mass production of bombs was undertaken since it would have been difficult to smuggle in these bombs after other blasts as security is subsequently enhanced all over the country.

The IB sources add that terrorists slipped into Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Chennai, Maharashtra and Rajasthan following the meeting in Hubli. Once in their respective states, these individuals stay low key and await instructions to carry out the attacks. The sources believe the instructions were passed on to SIMI by Pakistan-based operative Rasool Khan Party who takes charge of operations in India.

They also point out that the date and time of the blasts are never decided at the same time. First, the material is prepared, the locations chosen and after a couple of months the attacks take place. IB sources feel this modus operandi helps the terrorists to strike at will. When they are given orders to strike, all they have to do is connect the bombs and place the explosives in various places without being spotted.