Thaindian News

New Delhi, Feb 2 (IANS) Delhi Police Tuesday rushed a team to Lucknow to get custody of Shahzad Ahmad, the Indian Mujahideen (IM) terrorist arrested in Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh Monday, officials said.
“A Crime Branch team has rushed to Lucknow for Shahzad Ahmad’s custody,” a senior police official told IANS.

Delhi Police’s Crime Branch would be the first to take his custody as it is probing the shootout at Batla House in September 2008. Two suspected Indian Mujahideen militants and a police officer, Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, were killed in the shooutout that took place Sep 19, 2008, in Delhi’s Jamia Nagar locality.

The Special Cell has been looking for Ahmad for his role in the Sep 13, 2008, Delhi blasts. Five synchronised blasts - two in Connuaght Place, two in Greater Kailash and one in a crowded market in Karol Bagh - went off within a span of 31 minutes, killing 26 people and injuring over 150.

Ahmad alias Pappu, who planted a bomb at the Children’s Park near India Gate Sep 13, 2008, was present in the house during the shootout. But he managed to escape after firing at the policemen. The bomb planted by him did not explode.

He will now be charged with the murder of inspector Mohan Chand Sharma.

“Shahzad Ahmad will now be prosecuted for his role in all the five blast cases,” said the officer.

Ahmad, who carried a reward of Rs.5 lakh, was Monday arrested by Uttar Pradesh police from Khalaspur village in Azamgarh, some 300 km from Lucknow.