'Delhi embassy car blast linked to Bangkok explosions'

Technical and field investigations conducted by Delhi police have revealed that a key conspirator behind the attack against Israeli embassy staffers had links with the terror module that executed a series of bomb attacks in Bangkok on February 14.  

According to Police Commissioner B K Gupta, Iranian national Houshang Afshar Irani, who had visited Delhi twice, was in touch with Sedaghatzadeh Masoud, another Iranian national accused of being one of the bombers in the triple explosions in Bangkok.

“It thus establishes Afshar Irani’s links with the module that executed the terror acts in Bangkok,” Gupta said. “He left Bangkok for Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, half-an-hour after the attack,” Gupta added.

Masoud was arrested at an airport in Malaysia on February 15, a day after the explosions rocked the Thai capital.

Thai police say bombs were found in the house where the blast occurred, and that Masoud and two Iranian men — now in Thai police custody — were seen leaving the building.

The blasts had left five persons and an alleged Iranian bomber injured. The 31-year-old faces charges of taking part in making and possessing explosive devices and causing injury to other people as well as damaging property.

Gupta said Kazmi was held after Masoud’s arrest. “Masoud’s link with Afshar Irani, and further technical surveillance of Irani, had led to Kazmi’s arrest,” he said.

He also said the moped used in surveying the Israeli embassy and surrounding areas was bought by Afshar Irani from a dealer in Karol Bagh.

“We have recovered documents related to the moped and technical investigation clearly established that Kazmi and Afshar Irani were in touch on phone,” Gupta said.