Year after Delhi blasts police yet to nab 14 accused

Five blasts ripped through the capital on the evening of September 13 last year, for which terror group Indian Mujahideen had claimed responsibility. As the city remembers the victims with moist eyes and prayers, a senior police official said they were on the trail and doing everything possible to catch those involved in the blasts, including Indian Mujahideen chief Amir Raza Khan.

Police had caught 12 men suspected to be behind the blasts a few days after the incident besides killing two in a fierce encounter in a flat in south Delhi's Jamia Nagar a week after the explosions.

In the encounter, which the locals and a section of political parties claimed was fake, Delhi Police lost its encounter specialist Mohan Chand Sharma. However, the police got a shot in the arm when the National Human Rights Commission gave a clean chit to the police.

Police believe that Pak-based Lashkar-e-Taiba militant outfit aided the Indian Mujahideen in the blasts and one of its operative Abu Alkama masterminded it with the help of Amir Raza Khan, the chief of Indian Mujahideen, Iqbal Bhatkal and Riyz Bhatkal.

Police announced Rs five lakh reward for anyone giving information about the four terrorists. The other terrorists are carrying a reward of Rs one lakh on their head.
"Alakama is the main mastermind behind the creation of Indian Mujahideen and is responsible for the September 13 blasts. He is also involved in serial blasts in Jaipur, Ahmedabad and UP," the official said, adding Khan was allegedly working under the direct command of Alkama.

Five FIRs were registered in connection with the blasts. Others against whom the reward of Rs one lakh has been announced include Ariz Khan (23), Shahzad Ahmad (20), Mohd Sajid (22), Mirza Sadab Baig (25), Mohd Khalid (25) Dr Shahnawaz (28), Hakim (23), Salman (19) and Mohd Khalid (25).

Police also raised the reward amount on Ariz Khan (23) and Shahzad Ahmad (21), both hailing from Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh district. The duo had escaped from Batla House on September 19 during the encounter with police.

Police is banking on the witness statements of over 200 people, including 73 civilians, 37 doctors and around 15 policemen. Among the witnesses is a 12-year-old balloon seller.