IM operative found murdered in prison, CID probe ordered

An operative of the Indian Mujahideen  and an accused in the Delhi and Bengaluru blasts has reportedly been strangled by inmates at Pune's Yerawada jail on Friday, prompting the government to suspend the prison superintendent and order a CID probe.

Qateel Siddiqui had allegedly helped the conspirators of the Delhi and Bengaluru blasts. He was picked up last year by the Delhi police. He was moved to the Pune jail as he had allegedly tried to plant a bomb at a local temple.

"Qateel was murdered in the jail," said a senior Anti-Terrorism Squad official.

Qateel, who was also involved in the Bengaluru Chinnaswamy stadium blast, had been arrested by the Maharashtra ATS for his attempt to carry out a terror strike by planting a bomb outside Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapti Temple. However, his bid was foiled.

Qateel, according to ATS sources, had also made a failed attempt to carry out terror strike by planting a bomb outside Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapti Temple in Pune.

He was arrested in November last year by the Delhi police for his involvement in various blasts in the country.

The reason and motive for the murder is currently being investigated by the police.

Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil announced a CID probe into the death of Qateel and ordered suspension of jail superintendent S V Khatavkar, his spokesperson said in Mumbai.

With inputs from PTI