Black Monday’s ‘brain’ shot dead

The Mumbai police today shot dead Nasser, a key suspect in the August 25 twin bomb blasts, in an encounter late on Friday at Matunga in nort...

The Mumbai police today shot dead Nasser, a key suspect in the August 25 twin bomb blasts, in an encounter late on Friday at Matunga in north central Mumbai.

Nasser was the alleged mastermind behind the blasts and set up the “Gujarat Muslim Revenge Force.”

Police said he had met co-accused Hanif in Dubai and brainwashed him to avenge the killing of Muslims in the Gujarat riots. Both came to India and conspired, police said, to engineer blasts in Mumbai.

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Following the arrest of four suspects in the Black Monday bombings, a massive manhunt had been launched for Nasser.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Satya Pal Singh said Nasser and an associate were killed in the encounter near Ruparel College, Matunga at around 10 pm on Friday.

The associate could not be identified. The police have recovered some gelatin sticks, 2 clocks, a diary and a US-made revolver, Singh said.

Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said Nasser played a ‘‘very important role’’ in Black Monday and that a search had been on for many days. ‘‘It is a big achievement for the Mumbai police,’’ he said.

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