ATS: Arrested IM operative not part of core blast group

Mohammad Qateel Siddiqui, an Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative arrested by the Delhi police on Wednesday for his alleged role in the blast at Pune’s German Bakery last year, was a new recruit, claimed sources from the Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad (ATS) on Thursday. He was, in fact, not even part of the core module that carried out the blast.

Siddiqui, who has no previous crime record, hails from Bihar and was part of the IM’s module from there, which was headed by Yasin Bhatkal — the alleged mastermind of blasts at the bakery, the Chinnaswamy Stadium and the Jama Masjid. It was Bhatkal who inducted Siddiqui into the group.

“We had arrested Lashkar-e-Toiba operative Himayat Baig in September last year in the bakery blast case. He had conducted a reconnaissance of the bakery along with Bhatkal. While Bhatkal placed the bomb inside the bakery, Baig played the role of a watcher outside,” revealed an ATS officer.

Bhatkal reportedly called Siddiqui to Pune in January and they did a reconnaissance of the German Bakery. Siddiqui was then asked to wait in Pune till his boss’ return from Udgir in Latur district. Soon, Baig, who was familiar with Pune, was sent by Bhatkal from Udgir to conduct another reconnaissance of the bakery, the officer said.

The bomb was prepared at a cyber café in Udgir on February 12 by Bhatkal, Baig and another IM operative, Mohsin Chaudhary. They arrived in Pune the next day and carried out the blast.
“Baig didn’t know that Bhatkal had already done a reconnaissance of the bakery with Siddiqui. That’s why his name never figured in our investigations. Siddiqui had no direct role in the blast, but was aware of the conspiracy. He was newly recruited by Bhatkal, who wanted him to understand how the group operates,” said an ATS officer.

After the blast, Siddiqui and other IM members went into hiding, said another officer.