MHA likely to ask NIA to probe Liyaqat arrest

The Ministry of Home Affairs MHA is planning to ask the National Investigation Agency to probe the arrest of Hizbul Mujahideen suspect Liyaqat Ali Shah

The Ministry of Home Affairs MHA is planning to ask the National Investigation Agency to probe the arrest of Hizbul Mujahideen suspect Liyaqat Ali Shah after doubts surfaced over the Delhi Polices claims that it foiled an attack on the capital with his arrest. The MHA has also sought a detailed report over the circumstances that led to the arrest of Shah from the Delhi Police.

Shah was reportedly brought to New Delhi by the Special Cell of Delhi Police two days ago from Sanauli near Gorakhpur. The Special Cell claimed that he was on his way to carry out a fidayeen attack in Delhi on Holi to avenge the execution of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

However,Shahs family has claimed that he was a former militant who had surrendered at the Sanauli check-post on the Nepal border and was part of a group returning from Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir as part of the rehabilitation policy of the Jammu and Kashmir government. The Jamp;K Police has supported the claims of Shahs family.

A decision on whether an inquiry is warranted will be taken after scrutiny of both the versions. In a report submitted to MHA,Delhi Police also claimed that they have identified another suspect who was staying at a guest house in Jama Masjid area of Old Delhi. The Special Cell also released the sketch of the suspect and video footage in which a person carrying a bag can be seen enquiring about the tariff at the guest house reception, Union Home Secretary R K Singh said on Sunday. However,the MHA is not convinced with the explanation provided by Delhi Police and has now sought details from Jamp;K Police.

A decision to hand over the probe to NIA will be taken once Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde returns from Maharashtra. On Saturday,Jamp;K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urged Shinde to hand over Shahs case to NIA.

According to Shahs family,his name was number 74 on the police register in Kupwara. After completing formalities,the local police had forwarded the familys application to the criminal investigation branch and other departments. The family also informed about his return soon after he left for Kashmir along with his wife and step-daughter last Sunday,said officials. Shahs wife Akthara claimed they sold off a piece of land in PoK for arranging their passports,air tickets and other travel expenses.

Delhi Police stick to fidayeen claim,releases sketch of another suspect

Story continues below this ad

Sticking to its claim that Syed Liyaqat Ali Shah was a terrorist,Delhi Police on Sunday indicated it had arrested him on the basis of inputs from intelligence agencies,including the Home Ministrys Multi-Agency Centre.

The agency,police said,had alerted it that a terrorist had arrived at the Indo-Nepal border and he was involved in suspicious activities,though it didnt point out Liyaqat. It added he was being given logistical support by a Kashmiri based in Nepal who has contacts in the Pakistan embassy there.

The police also released a sketch of Liyaqats suspected accomplice purportedly seen in CCTV footage seized from Haji Arafat guesthouse in old Delhi which the police raided Friday night and claimed to have found explosives,grenades and an AK-56. The man checked in at 4 pm on March 20,the day Liyaqat was arrested,and walked through the metal detector with a bag. He was wearing a black T shirt and a cap. ENS