13/7 Mumbai blasts: Case cracked by ATS

The Maharashtra ATS (Anti-Terrorist Squad) on Monday said that they have cracked the 13/7 Mumbai serial blasts case that had killed 27 people and injured many in July last year.

Two people have been arrested by the ATS for their alleged involvement in the case.

ATS chief Rakesh Maria said that two people, Naqi Ahmed Wasi Ahmed Sheikh (22) and Nadeem Akhtar Ashfaq Sheikh (23), have been detained for their involvement in the blasts that ripped through Mumbai on July 13, 2011.

Both were arrested in Mumbai.

Maria said that 18 states were visited by the ATS team during the investigation and 12373 witnesses were examined by them.

"We have analysed CCTV footage of close to 180 cameras at the blast sites," Maria said.

He said that the financial trial of the blast has been ´fully covered´.

He said that the crucial lead in he case was obtained by the ATS in last week of Nov.

"Success was achieved and we were able to pin point the perpetrators of the crime," Maria said.

He said that Yasin Bhatkal is the main accused in the blasts case. Bhatkal belongs to the banned terror outifit Indian Mujahideen (IM).

Earlier, it was reported that ATS had located the hideout of the three terrorists behind the explosions.

The hideout had been located at Byculla on the third floor of a building which was rented by the perpetrators, reports said.

The landlord of the house was quizzed by the ATS.

On July 13, three explosions rocked Mumbai´s Zaveri Bazaar, Opera House and Dadar killing 27 and injuring several others.