Mumbai train blasts were timed for 6.30 pm

An alleged founder member of terror outfit Indian Mujahideen has spilled the beans on how the Mumbai train blasts in 2006 and the pre-diwali Delhi blasts in 2005 were executed.

"We purchased bags and pressure cookers in Bombay. On the day of the blast (11-07-06), all of us assembled and we filled seven cookers with explosives...We had planned the bombs to blast at 6:30 pm. Atif (another IM operative) gave me a bag which I kept in one of the local trains," said Sadiq Sheikh, arrested by the Mumbai police in October last year, during his interrogation, according to a video aired by CNN-IBN.

His questioning by police led to the arrest of 20 more IM operatives and is presently in custody of the Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad in connection with 2006 serial train blasts which left more than 200 people dead.

Sheikh said, "Abu Rashid and Sajid (his accomplices) then joined me in keeping their bags in the other trains. Abu Rashid (another accused) travelled till Dadar in the same train and then left for Sewree.

"After a while, through the general public, we were informed of the blasts in the local train," he said.

He said all the five of them had arranged local train passes for first class beforehand.

"We also had local train time table with us so that we could find out the train as per our convenience," he said.

Referring to the Delhi blasts, Sheikh said, "Sarojini Nagar, Paharganj, Govindpuri were targets for the blasts. We used to stay in a hotel in Jasola.

"Other than that Atif, Shadab, Aarij, Shakeel and Sakib were involved in the group. I use to accompany them for making bombs. I and Atif were now trained in making bombs. I left for my place before the Delhi blasts. I got the news of the blasts the next day."

He also talked about his connection with the Ahmedabad serial blasts last year. "I got a call from Riyaz Batkal (an accused) in 2008 for a meeting which was also attended by Atif. It was Riyaz who had planned the Gujarat blasts but he wanted more manpower for the plan to materialise. Arif Badar, Zakir, Abu Rashid and Dr Shahnawaz were also involved in the plan. Clock timers were made in Pune," he said.

He, however, said that when Rashid reached Surat just ahead of the blasts, he was sent back because he was not required as "by then they had enough manpower."

"Abu Rashid conveyed the same information to me, so I, along with Dr Shahnawaz, dropped the idea of going there."