13/7 blasts: ATS arrests 2 accused for lifting bikes

The Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad on Wednesday arrested two accused already in custody in the July 13 triple blasts case for allegedly lifting two bikes that were used to trigger explosions at two out of three venues.

This is the second theft case registered against them since bikes were stolen from two different locations in the city and separate FIRs filed.

As per the charge sheet filed in the blast case last week, Naquee Ahmed and Nadeem Shaikh on instructions of elusive Indian Mujahideen chief Yasin Bhatkal had stolen two bikes a day before the blasts and fitted explosives on them for triggering explosions at Zaveri Bazaar and Opera House - two out of three venues of blasts, while the third venue being Dadar (West) where explosives were allegedly planted atop a bus stop.

"Naquee Ahmed and Nadeem Shaikh were remanded in judicial custody in the earlier case and re-arrested in this theft case and were remanded in the ATS custody till June 2," their lawyer Khalid Azmi said.

He said the accused duo has already moved for bail in the earlier theft case and the court of local magistrate has directed the ATS to file a reply to their applications. Twenty-seven people were killed and 127 injured when three near-simultaneous blasts rocked through the crowded areas of Dadar, Zaveri Bazar and Opera House on July 13 last year.