The IM operative who planned IPL blasts

The blasts at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, which created panic among the spectators who had gathered there to watch a game of the Indian Premier League on April 17 this year, were planned and carried out by the Indian Mujahideen, according to the city police.

According to the Bengaluru police, Indian Mujahideen operative Salman alias Chotu was the mastermind behind the blasts. Incidentally, Salman was arrested by the police a month before the blasts.

Bengaluru police officials told rediff.com that investigations into the case point to Salman's involvement.

Salman, a wanted accused in many cases, is one of the main operatives of the terror outfit, say sources in the Intelligence Bureau.

According to IB sources, Salman was trained in Pakistan and he played a role in the serial blasts in Jaipur on May 13, 2008. He planted the bomb at the Manak Chowk area, say sources. The blasts had claimed 60 lives in Pink City.

Salman was later roped in for bigger terror operations and he played a role in the Delhi serial blasts as well. He was arrested by the Delhi police in March this year.

He will be initially interrogated by the Rajasthan police before the Bengaluru police can get access to him.