Simi funded Bodh Gaya, Patna blasts

The banned Students Islamic Movement of India (Simi) funded the terror outfit Indian Mujahideen (IM), which carried out serial blasts at various places.

The revelation was made during the interrogation of IM operative Haider Ali, who along with three others, were arrested in connection with Bodh Gaya blasts as well as serial blasts in Patna in October last year during Narendra’s Modi’s rally. Haider and his men were apprehended from Ranchi last week.

The 26-year-old Haider, who is on remand till June 6, is believed to have told National Investigation Agency (NIA) sleuths that he used to receive money from Abu Faizal, alias Doctor, the self-styled head of the Madhya Pradesh unit of Simi, for carrying out terror attacks.

Haider admitted that Faizal had funded the Bodh Gaya and Patna blasts last year.

Sources in the premier investigating agency said Haider had gone to meet Faizal in Khandwa (Madhya Pradesh) before carrying out serial blasts in Patna.

During the sustained interrogation, Haider told the NIA team that it was Faizal who was the brain behind the five bank robberies in MP, including a Mallapuram heist in Khandwa in which Rs 1.25 crore was looted in October last year. Haider’s confession has helped the investigating agency to establish the link between IM and Simi, which was banned in 2001.

Six people were killed and 83 others injured when IM operatives carried out serial blasts in Patna in October last year just before Narendra Modi was to address a rally.