News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » News » Explosive revelations of Lt Col Purohit

Explosive revelations of Lt Col Purohit

By Vicky Nanjappa in Bengaluru
November 14, 2008 18:19 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

The arrest of Hindu activists in connection with the Malegaon blast has put several investigating agencies on rewind mode. If the revelations by Lieutenant Colonel Srikant Purohit are to be believed then several bomb blasts in the country need to be reinvestigated.

MI stint helped organise blast, says Lt Col in narco test

Purohit, who was subject to a narco analysis test in Bengaluru, made startling revelations in which he claimed that self-proclaimed religious leader, Swami Amritanand Saraswati also known as Dayanand Pandey had masterminded both the Nanded as well as the Ajmer blasts.

Purohit was arrested by the Mumbai Anti Terrorist Squad for his alleged role in the Malegaon blast.

Sadhvi's father: 'Pragya's innocent'

Purohit claimed during the test that Pandey had taken his help to set up a terror wing. He further revealed that Pandey had introduced him to another accused Sadvi Pragya Singh. While introducing him to the Sadhvi, Pandey had asked Purohit that he should provide logistic support to carry out terror attacks in various places.

Purohit said during the test that Pandey had set up a terror wing with 800 men and he asked Purohit to help in the training process. He said the men were being trained to execute terror strikes in different parts of the country. Purohit said during the test that the idea was to give a fitting reply to organisations such as the Students Islamic Movement of India and also create a sense of fear among Islamic outfits responsible for spreading terror.

'You can't plan Malegaon blast in one day'

He further said that Pandey ran an ashram in Ahmedabad and provided shelter to several anti-social elements. These persons were used to carry out terror strikes in the country. He also gave information on the source of the explosives and also the funding for the terror strikes (source not mentioned as it would hamper investigation).

During the narco-analysis test, the investigators got a lot of vital information from Purohit and it was based on these results that the ATS managed to nab Pandey from Kanpur.

Coverage: Malegaon Blast Aftermath

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Vicky Nanjappa in Bengaluru