New Delhi:
Delhi Police on Thursday claimed to have thwarted a major terrorist attack during the upcoming festive season with the arrest of three suspected Indian Mujahideen (IM) operatives. A huge cache of explosives has also been recovered.
"The three IM operatives Asad, Imran Khan and Sayeed Firoz were arrested from the Pul Prahaladpur area in South Delhi. They were carrying huge amounts of explosives and other materials for making bombs," Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar told reporters here.
The three suspects were being instructed by Indian Mujahideen chief Yasin Bhatkal and his brother Riyaz, apparently operating from across the border, the police chief claimed.
Asad and Khan were arrested Sep 26 in the capital where they had come to meet one Raju Bhai who was to assist them in hiding the explosives here. The third accused Firoz was arrested Oct 1.
The police are yet to identify Raju Bhai, believed to be the main handler of the blasts that were allegedly planned in Delhi.
Neeraj Kumar further claimed that the trio was also involved in the Pune blast that took place August 1.
"They had also planned to attack Bodhgaya temple in Bihar... We have informed the Bihar Police and asked them to step up security in the temple premises," said Neeraj Kumar.