Maharashtra ATS today claimed to have made a major breakthrough in the July 13 triple blasts in the city last year that claimed 27 lives, with the arrest of two of the accused hailing from Bihar.

Naqi Ahmed Wasi Ahmed Sheikh (22) and Nadeem Akhtar Ashfaq Sheikh (23) were arrested on January 12 but the mastermind of the crime Mr Yasin Bhatkal, a top Indian Mujahideen operative, and the planters of the IEDs used in the blasts are still evading arrest, Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Mr Rakesh Maria told reporters.

Mr Maria said while Naqi came to Mumbai in September 2010, Nadeem, his co-villager, from Bihar’s Darbhanga district, was living in Antop Hill area of the city.

Mr Naqi, according to Mr Maria, came in touch with Mr Ahmed Zarar Siddibappa alias Yasin Bhatkal alias Imran in 2008.

He said Mr Nadeem was called to Delhi by Mr Bhatkal and handed over a cloth packet containing the explosive and detonators used in the blast that was handed over to Mr Naqi.

Mr Naqi, he said, was given Rs 1.5 lakh by Mr Bhatkal as commission for the crime in which at least Rs 10 lakhs, received through hawala channels, was used. He said Mr Naqi and Mr Nadeem had stolen two Activa scooters that were used for carrying out the explosions. Two motorcycles also stolen by them and kept for future use have also been recovered from Bihar.

Rubbishing media reports that Mr Naqi was innocent and that he was being tortured in police custody, Mr Maria said he was aware of Mr Bhatkal antecedents.

Mr Naqi not only assisted Mr Bhatkal in scouting for an apartment in Habib Building in Byculla but also paid the money for accommodation, the ATS chief said.

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