bombay bulletin
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Tabloid layout, project in T.Y.BMM Journalism 5th Semister, Newspaper and Magazine making project. I have the corel quark express files also. If you want please contact me on [email protected]. I also have Broadsheet and Magazines.TRANSCRIPT
Bombay BulletinSince 1909
Open to all Parties, but influenced by none
MUMBAI, SEPTMBER 11, 2010 SATURDAY PRICE `. 1 www.bombaybulletin.co.in
Kalimuddin Khan (l) and Hafij Sarif,believed to be HuJI members,were being
tracked by IB for a week before they disappeared late on Thursday night
WE LOST
THEM: IBS SOS
THAT SPARKED
PANIC Intelligence agencies forced cops to put Mumbai on high alert on
eve of festivities after the two terror suspects went off the radar Two Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI)
terrorists on the loose in Mumbai on
the eve of Ganesh festival,one of the
city's most loved and messiest extrav-
aganzas,is not an easy news to break
to a city scarred so badly by terror at-
tacks.
But after hours of nerve-wracking dis-
cussions that began sometime
around noon at Varsha,the CMs resi-
dence,the state's top political brass
and seniormost police officers de-
cided there was no alternative.
The two men described by Joint Com-
missioner of Police (crime) Himanshu
Roy as "foreign nationals"who had
entered the city to "cause disruption
at crowded and religious places" were
being tracked by central intelligence
agencies and Mumbai police for over
a week.However,late on Thursday
night,the agencies suddenly lost
them.
To convey the HuJI militants'identities
to the media was a desperate move
to deter the duo from going ahead
with its plan.
Sources said the two terrorists
Kalimuddin Khan alias Rameshwar
Pandit,28,a Pakistani citizen;and Hafij
Sarif,25,a Bangladeshi national,en-
tered Mumbai a week back through
the Bangladesh border.Their move-
ments were constantly. The agencies
kept them untouched so that they
could be arrested in the final stages
of their plan in possession of arms
and explosives.Only Mumbai police's
top brass was kept in the loop and a
Crime Branch unit was put on the job
to tail them.
However,panic struck when on Thurs-
day night,just 48 hours from Eid and
Ganesh festival,the agencies lost
track of the duo.A desperate search
was launched to get the two back on
radar.However,neither human intelli-
gence nor surveillance apparatus
threw up any clues.
On Friday morning,in a desperate
measure,the agencies contacted
Mumbai police and threw their hands
up.An IB officer said,"Both had en-
tered India through Bangladesh and
had been on our watch since then.We
didn't expect to lose track of them
right before the festival."
With agencies giving up on the
chase,Mumbai police too pushed the
panic button and informed the state
government."Intelligence agencies
have far better resources.When they
gave up,we didn't know what to
do.With two big festivals staring us in
our face,we had very few
options,"said a Mumbai police officer.
In the afternoon,a meeting was held
at CMs residence.It was attended by
senior police officers and Chief Minis-
ter Ashok Chavan and Home Minister
R R Patil.
It was decided at the meeting that the
agencies had little time to embark
upon any fresh initiative to trace the
suspects and that it was imperative to
let the people know of the danger
ahead.It was also believed,said
sources,that disclosing the identity of
the suspects to the media would deter
the two from going ahead with their
plans,at least for the time being.
An officer said,"This is only the sec-
ond time in the history of city's polic-
ing that people have been informed of
such a thing.We always get inputs
around festival time of disruptive ac-
tivities being planned by terror ele-
ments but never tell people as it will
create panic.Intelligence agencies
merely keep a watch on the suspects
and do not touch them until they are
about to do something."
The only instance of such a desper-
ate disclosure was on December
31,2002,when the then Crime Branch
DCP Pradeep Sawant held a press
conference and informed people
through the media that two suspects
were planning a blast at the Gateway
of India and that people should avoid
going there.
CALL 22633333/ 22625020
IF YOU see anyone who looks like
the suspects,call the city police on the
above listed numbers.Cops received
two calls within two hours on Friday.
At 6.45 pm,an Atul Agrawal informed
police that he had seen one of the
suspected terrorists at Churchgate
Station.Fifteen minutes later,police re-
ceived another call from a Pranay
Kumar saying he too had seen a sus-
pect at Chhatrapati Shivaji Interna-
tional Airport.
CITY www.bombaybulletin.co.in/city MUMBAI, SEPTMBER 11, 2010 SATURDAY
Two scary to ignore: Cops In an unprecedented move,Mumbai police reveal pictures of two suspected foreign terrorists who have sneaked into the city
JATIN RATHODEid and Ganeshotsav celebra-
tions suddenly got wrapped in a coat of
fear,after the Mumbai police,in an unprece-
dented move,announced on Friday that two
foreigners,believed to be terrorists,are
roaming the city.
Photographs of the duo a clean-
shaven Kalimuddin Khan alias Rameshwar
Pandit,28,and a bearded Hafij Sarif,25,were
released by Joint Commissioner of Police
(Crime) Himanshu Roy at a hurriedly called
press conference,setting off alarm bells
after Mumbaikars watched the development
on television.
This was one bouncer the city
was just not prepared for cops admitting
two suspected terrorists,possibly from Pak-
istan,Pakistan-occupied Kashmir or
Bangladesh disappearing from the radar of
intelligence agencies.By Friday evening,as
crowds swelled to celebrate Ramazan,and
to prepare for the first day of Ganpati festi-
val,whispers of tumi yaana pahilat ka were
heard all over Mumbai.
Kalimuddin and Sarif are sus-
pected to be carrying large amount of ex-
plosives,and could target crowded places
with an aim to spark off communal
clashes.JCP Roy said,We have intelligence
inputs that two foreign nationals have en-
tered the city and could try to cause disrup-
tion at crowded and religious places.We
appeal to the citizens to remain alert. Chief
Minister Ashok Chavan added,The informa-
tion came from Central Intelligence agen-
cies.
Following the police press confer-
ence,two telephone numbers 2263 3333
and 2262 5020 were set up for people to
pass on information.The helplines were
soon flooded with calls.A Crime Branch offi-
cial said,We are verifying each and every
information.
Following the inputs,a massive
security cover has been thrown in and
around Lalbaug,particularly at Lalbaugcha
Raja,where over 1,500 policemen have
been deployed round-the-
clock.Besides,personnel drawn from
CRPF,State Reserve Police Force and
Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad have
been stationed at the pandal.
The sniffer dog attached to the
bomb squad will conduct periodic checks at
the parking lot,while Quick Response Team
commandos and a Strike Mobile Van have
also been deployed.With this,the total num-
ber of security personnel stationed at Lal-
baugcha Raja (including the mandal's
private security) will go over 5,000,police
sources said.
Apart from Lalbaug,bandobust
has been tightened at temples,other
ganesh pandals,mosques and buildings.A
police source said,Our officers are also
speaking to the community leaders.Joint CP (Crime) Himanshu Roy with the pictures of the two suspected terrorists,Kalimuddin Khan and Hafij Sarif
ATS stumbled upon Baig through old case papersSOURABH DAS
It was a methodical examination
of scores of terror case papers that first
threw up Pune blast accused Himayat
Baigs name in May.His name figured at
only one place: in the case papers of a
Pune sleeper module busted by the Anti
Terrorism Squad under Hemant Karkare im-
mediately after the 2008 Ahmedabad
blasts.
Baig was named as an abscond-
ing accused in a sleeper module busted by
Karkare-led ATS on August 17,2008,in
Pune.The ATS had arrested two SIMI mem-
bers,Aiyaz Sheikh and Nadeem
Sheikh,while the Mumbai Crime Branch had
nabbed one Bilal Kazagi.All three were part
of the sleeper module being groomed since
2005.
Since the German Bakery blast
had the footprints of local knowledge,ATS
got on the trail of Baig as their prime sus-
pect.
According sources in the
ATS,after the February 13 bakery blast
there were only two names that cropped up
as suspects Mohammed Ahmed Zarar Sid-
dibappa alias Yasin Bhatkal and Mohsin
Chaudhary.Though Baigs name never fig-
ured on the list of suspects,we were con-
vinced there was someone with local
knowledge of Pune who was involved as
well.However,our information network failed
to throw up any clues, said an ATS officer.
That was when ATS officers started a me-
thodical examination of all the terror case
papers of the past five to six years.Since
the blast had IM signature,we scanned all
the IM case papers for clues,but to no
avail.We then started looking at cases that
were cracked around IM blasts and tried to
establish the connections with those named
in these cases and those in Pune or else-
where.It was during this rummaging of pa-
pers that we stumbled upon Baigs name in
the Pune sleeper module case, said the of-
ficer.
Meanwhile,Baig was also under
surveillance of a central intelligence agency
and his sudden disappearance from the
radar just after the blast led to the suspicion
that he could be involved.The agency
shared this information with the ATS in late
May,only to find that ATS was already look-
ing for him.
Since the German Bakery blast
had the footprints of local knowledge,ATS
got on the trail of Baig as their prime sus-
pect.
Investigations further revealed
that Baig was closely associated with cer-
tain IM members who had masterminded
Ahmedabad blasts.Chief among them was
Akbar Chaudhary,member of IMs media
cell,arrested from Pune in Septem-
ber,2008.It was also learnt that Baig was
known as Umar among the IM cadres.He
had even visited Ashoka Mews (the building
in Punes Kondhwa from where IMs media
cell operated during Ahmedabad blasts),
said ATS chief Rakesh Maria.
According sources in the
ATS,after the February 13 bakery blast
there were only two names that cropped up
as suspects Mohammed Ahmed Zarar Sid-
dibappa alias Yasin Bhatkal and Mohsin
Chaudhary.Though Baigs name never fig-
ured on the list of suspects,we were con-
vinced there was someone with local
knowledge of Pune who was involved as
well.However,our information network failed
to throw up any clues, said an ATS officer.
That was when ATS officers
started a methodical examination of all the
terror case papers of the past five to six
years.Since the blast had IM signature,we
scanned all the IM case papers for
clues,but to no avail.We then started look-
ing at cases that were cracked around IM
blasts and tried to establish the connections
with those named in these cases and those
in Pune or elsewhere.It was during this
rummaging of papers that we stumbled
upon Baigs name in the Pune sleeper mod-
ule case, said the officer.
Since the German Bakery blast
had the footprints of local knowledge,ATS
got on the trail of Baig as their prime sus-
pect.
Baig was named as an abscond-
ing accused in a sleeper module busted by
Karkare-led ATS on August 17,2008,in
Pune.The ATS had arrested two SIMI mem-
bers,Aiyaz Sheikh and Nadeem
Sheikh,while the Mumbai Crime Branch had
nabbed one Bilal Kazagi.All three were part
of the sleeper module being groomed since
2005.
Since the German Bakery blast
had the footprints of local knowledge,ATS
got on the trail of Baig as their prime sus-
pect.
Through Akbar Chaudharys
trail,ATS traced Baigs connections with
Yasin and Mohsin,both prime suspects in
the case by then.It also found that he had
maintained connections with absconding
LeT leaders Fayaz Kagzi and Zabiuddin
Ansari.ATSs suspicion was confirmed.
When an ATS team then went to Baigs na-
tive place in Beed,they could not find him
and a massive nationwide search was
launched.During this period,the agency
came close to nabbing Baig several
times,but he always managed to slip
away,until yesterday.Maria added,A special
team of select men was created to chase
(Baig).It is a classic case of how human in-
telligence gathering can help crack a
case.The team will forever remain a secret.
German Bakery blast master-
mind Himayat Baig was men-
tioned in the case papers of a
Pune sleeper cell busted by
ATS in 2008
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NATION www.bombaybulletin.co.in/nation MUMBAI, SEPTMBER 11, 2010 SATURDAY
Rebel factions join hands for Kashmir before EidDHAVAL DAVE
SRINAGAR: In a significant
development,Hurriyat Conference (M)
Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin
Malik,head of the Jammu Kashmir Libera-
tion Front (JKLF),announced on Friday that
the two factions would join hands to help all
parties arrive at a consensus on the Kash-
mir issue.
Farooq and Malik jointly addressed the Fri-
day congregation at the historic Jamia
Masjid in the old city in Srinagar.After the
prayers,both leaders led a procession from
Jamia Masjid.
Farooq had earlier given a four-
point demand for resolution of the Kashmir
issue.He now said,We want final solution on
Kashmir,not another Eid package. The Cab-
inet Committee on Security will meet to dis-
cuss an Eid peace package for Kashmir on
Saturday.
Malik urged for peaceful protests.The pres-
ent struggle is going through a tough phase,
he said,It is important to maintain discipline
during protests, he said.
At least 69 youth have died during protests
in the Valley since June 11.Curfews and
shutdowns for the past three months have
made life worse for Kashmiris.
Farooq had earlier given a four-
point demand for resolution of the Kashmir
issue.He now said,We want final solution on
Kashmir,not another Eid package. The Cab-
inet Committee on Security will meet to dis-
cuss an Eid peace package for Kashmir on
Saturday.
Meanwhile,shopkeepers in the
Valley said enthusiasm among shoppers
was missing and business was not on ex-
pected lines.A shopkeeper in
Srinagar,Imran,said,There is just no enthu-
siasm.People are only buying essential
goods.
The Geelani faction of the Hur-
riyat asked people to celebrate Eid with
gusto.The State also lifted curfew and re-
strictions,paving way for hassle-free
Eid.Banks loaded ATMs with cash.
Farooq had earlier given a four-
point demand for resolution of the Kashmir
issue.He now said,We want final solution on
Kashmir,not another Eid package. The Cab-
inet Committee on Security will meet to dis-
cuss an Eid peace package for Kashmir on
Saturday.
Meanwhile,shopkeepers in the Valley said
enthusiasm among shoppers was missing
and business was not on expected lines.A
shopkeeper in
However,late on Thursday,a Spe-
cial Operation Group camp was attacked in
Anantnag.Around 40 SOG men stationed in
the Janglatmandi camp left their
bunkers,following which a mob ransacked
the place.JKLF chairman Yasin Malik (left) and chairman of APHC
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq lead an anti-India rally in Srinagar
No fresh probe in
Rizwanur case: SC
Rizwanur Rahmans mother after the SC order;his body was
found on the tracks
SEEMA AGARWALKOLKATA:The Supreme Court on Friday
stayed two Calcutta High Court orders to
initiate fresh investigations into the death of
Kolkata-based design professional Rizwa-
nur Rahman.
A Division Bench of the High Court had al-
lowed the CBI to initiate a fresh investiga-
tion.
The Supreme Court stayed two
orders relating to the case the order that
discharged Ashok Todi,Rizwanurs father-in-
law,and the order which directed the CBI to
reinvestigate the case.
A Division Bench of the Calcutta High
Court had quashed the findings of the CBI
around three months ago and directed it to
lodge a case of murder against seven ac-
cused.A fresh case of murder would make
the earlier investigations null and void.
The CBI had dismissed Rizwa-
nurs death as suicide and chargesheeted
the accused for abetment to suicide.
The SCs decision grants re-
prieve to Todi.The apex court has also
stayed all consequential proceedings aris-
ing out of the high court order.
Kalyan Banerjee,the lawyer for Rizwanurs
family,said,The court has dismissed the
order given by the Division Bench of the
Calcutta High Court.We are looking into it
and will take necessary action.
Rizwanur was found dead near
railway tracks in Dumdum area on Septem-
ber 21,2007,a month after he married Todis
daughter Priyanka against his wishes.
Yamuna rises,CM
says dont worry Flood water inundates over 80 villages in Yamunanagar and other districts
PRITI SHARMANEW DELHI Delhi was on edge on Friday
with the water level in Yamuna River rising
one meter above the danger mark,threaten-
ing to flood the nearby low lying areas even
as Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit appealed to
people not to panic.
The water level in the river
touched 205.88 meter at 3 pm and rose fur-
ther in the evening when water released
from Hathanikund Barrage in Haryana
reached the city.
Flood situation in Punjab and
Haryana remained grim with Yamuna and
other major rivers in the region flowing
above the danger level and inundating over
80 villages in Yamunanagar and other dis-
tricts.
Yamuna had crossed danger
level,prompting authorities to evacuate hun-
dreds of people living in the low lying
areas.Seventy-four boats and 68 divers
have also been pressed into service.
Dikshit asked people not to panic
and said though Haryana has released
nearly 9 lakh cusec of water in the last three
days.There may not be much threat to the
city as water has dispersed due to breaking
of embankments along the route.Flood Con-
trol Minister Raj Kumar Chouhan said over
100 booster pumps were fitted along the
banks of the river to pump out water which
may enter the lowlying areas.We are con-
stantly monitoring the situation and ready for
any eventualities, he said.AGENCIES
A man outside his house in Delhi,(right) Flood-affected people queue for food
62 students pass Std X without
taking exam PTI
DHARAMSHALA Around 62 students
have passed the annual matriculation ex-
amination of the Himachal Pradesh Board
of School Education without appearing in
the exams and two persons have been ar-
rested in this connection,police said.
Police have arrested Ashwin Dogra,owner
of an education academy at Gaggle,12 km
from here and a woman in this connection.
Dogra had purchased spare answersheets
from 11 different examination centres dur-
ing the annual exams in April 2010.The an-
swer sheets were then posted to the
evaluation centres,police said.
Confirming the reports,SSP Kan-
gra district Atul Fulzhele said that police
have started investigations after confiscat-
ing the Himachal Education Board 2010
exam record.
Earlier Himachal Pradesh Board
of School Education secretary Prabhat
Sharma filed a complaint claiming around
62 students had passed the exam without
appearing in it.PTI
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ENTERTAINMENT www.bombaybulletin.co.in/entertainment MUMBAI, SEPTMBER 11, 2010 SATURDAY
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