Three Men Arrested In Mumbai Train Bombings
Posted July 22, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It seems unlikely just three men could be responsible for an act of terror that claimed the lives of 207 people, but according to police investigating the Mumbai train bombings, at least it’s a start.
On Friday, Mumbai authorities arrested three men they believe have links to terror networks across South Asia – the first formal arrests in the July 11 attack.
India also dismissed an offer from Pakistan to help the investigation, saying Islamabad has failed to respond to evidence of terror networks on its soil.
Authorities also claim to have “definite evidence” the three suspects detained Thursday are linked to terrorism.
“They have connections with groups in Nepal and Bangladesh, which are directly or indirectly connected to Pakistan,” said investigator K.P Raghuvanshi.
More arrests are expected soon in connection with the synchronized bombing of seven trains, which left more than 800 wounded.
Two suspects, Khaleel Aziz Sheikh and Kamal Ahmed Ansari, were nabbed in the eastern state of Bihar while the third, Mumtaz Ahmed Chowdhury, was picked up in Mumbai. None of them have been charged.
On Friday the trio was led into a Mumbai court with hoods covering their heads. They are to be held for 10 days.
Indian officials have blamed the attacks on Islamic militants fighting Indian rule in Kashmir, namely the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, and said the attack is linked to Pakistan.
Kashmir is a predominantly Muslim Himalayan territory that’s politically divided between India and Pakistan, but claimed in entirety by both.
But Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf vehemently denied any Pakistani role in the deadly bombings.
“I want to assure the government of India that Pakistan will co-operate with it to identify the terrorists, if you give us proof. We will remain with you on this issue,” he said.
His words aren’t likely to be enough however. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna responded Friday that Musharraf’s offer “gave us no cause for satisfaction in view of the fact that Pakistan has refused to co-operate in the past.”
