Indian police blames Islamists for Mumbai bombings

Jan 23, 2012, 12:27 GMT

New Delhi - Indian police on Monday said an Islamist militant group, the Indian Mujahideen, was behind July's bomb attacks in Mumbai that killed 27 people.

Three alleged members of the extremist group were arrested in connection with the attack, the region's Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Rakesh Maria told a press conference.

Naqi Ahmed and Nadeem Akhtar were arrested on January 15 for providing helping to survey the blast sites, carrying explosives and arranging scooters and mobile phone cards to other militants, Maria said.

Another suspect, Haroon Rashid Naik, was arrested on charges of securing finances for the attacks.

'Success was achieved and we were able to pinpoint the perpetrators of the crime,' Maria told reporters. 'We can now say that the financial trail of the blasts has been uncovered.'

But the attack's alleged mastermind, Indian Mujahideen commander Yasin Bhatkal, was still on the run, Maria said.

Three explosions rocked the south and centre of Mumbai on July 13, killing 27 people and injuring 127.

Investigators say the Indian Mujahideen has been behind a number of bombings in India since 2005, which have killed hundreds.

The group, which has not claimed responsibility for the July bombings, is thought to have close ties to terrorist groups in Pakistan, including the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The authorities have accused it of attacking non-Muslim targets with the goal of establishing an Islamic caliphate across the region.