Advani was target of a suicide squad

The blasts took place even near the venue of the public meeting and were targeted at Hindu congregations and establishments. Advani was to be eliminated by the suicide squad (Shaeheed pada).

The designs of Al-Umma could not materialise since neither the members of the suicide squad could penetrate the police cordon and reach near the dais of the meeting norAdvani was available at the targeted places since his flight was delayed.

Out of the seven members of the suicide squad deputed to the public meeting place, two died in subsequent explosions on February 15 in the storming operation (Rafeeq alias Shanmugam and Saleem alias Vettu Saleem). Four were arrested (Amjath Ali, Mohammed Jamesha alias Suruttaimudi Jamesha, Shahjahan alias Makkan Shajahan and Nazer alias Pallu Nazer). One more member of the suicide squad is absconding.

The seven-member Shaheed padai was despatched from the graveyard where bodies of the 17 Muslims who died in communal violence were laid to rest.

Three were having “instantaneous-type bombs” tied to their waists while four others were armed with “throw-type” bombs. All the seven accused belonging to the suicide squad were charge-sheeted today (the charge has abated for the two who died later).