Zeenews Bureau
Nashik, Nov 15: Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad has claimed on Saturday that Lieutenant Colonel Shrikant Purohit, who was arrested in connection with the Malegaon blast, was also involved with the 2007 Samjhauta blast.
ATS told Nashik court that the accused had used RDX to carry out the blast in which 68 people were killed.
Putting an end to all speculation, the anti-terror branch of Mumbai Police said that Army RDX was used and not sourced from across the border.
Purohit procured 60 kg of RDX from Jammu and Kashmir in the year 2006, a part of which is suspected to have been used in Samjautha Express train explosion and Malegaon blasts, Maharashtra police told a court here on Saturday. But what is intriguing is that the investigation agency has no clue about the remaining RDX.
This theory came in sharp contrast with the earlier investigation of Samjhauta blast, in which, it was concluded that not RDX, instead, IED and some liquid chemicals were used.
Seeking extension of police custody of Purohit, special prosecutor for Maharashtra ATS Ajay Misar told the court that Purohit had believed to have 60 kgs of RDX in his possession which he had got from Jammu and Kashmir. Purohit gave a portion of the RDX to one Bhagwan who is suspected to have used in Samjhauta Express blast, Misar said.
The RDX is also suspected to have been used in Malegaon bomb explosion on September 29 this year, due to which Purohit's interrogation is necessary, Misar told the court.
Purohit, arrested in connection with Malegaon blast, was on Saturday produced before a Nashik court, where ATS sought his further police custody in order to interrogate him thoroughly and the court granted it till November 18.
Purohit, who was with Military Intelligence, had told the authorities that he had thrown RDX into the Jhelum river, the special counsel said.
However, it is suspected that he transported the RDX to Deolali in Nashik, he said.
Earlier, the Lt Colonel had said to the court that he was not ill treated by the ATS personnel as claimed by his family.