Key suspect in Bangalore, Surat blasts arrested

Hyderabad: An alleged key suspect in last year's serial blasts in Bangalore and Surat was arrested in Hyderabad on Thursday.

E T Zainudheen (57) alias Abdul Sattar, a native of Malappuram in Kerala, who was allegedly actively involved in terror activities in different parts of the country, was arrested by the counter intelligence wing of Andhra Pradesh police, a senior police official said.

Sattar had been living in Hyderabad since 1998 and had stayed in eight houses at different localities since then, he said.

Sattar, a radio mechanic, is an expert in timer devices and prepared circuits placed with timers used for Bangalore blasts last year, the police official said.

He also made timer devices that were found in the live bombs at various locations in Surat last year, he said.

"We strongly suspect his role in last year's Bangalore blasts. He also made timer devices for Surat bombs," the official said.

Sattar is closely associated with Riyaz Bhatkal, a key leader of terror group Indian Mujahideen, he said.

Sattar was in constant touch with Riyaz and terror suspect Sheik Abdul Jabbar, also a Keralite, who was arrested last year, he said.

During interrogation, Sattar has confessed he hosted Riyaz and Jabbar for two days in October last year, the official said.

"Jabbar escaped from Kashmir after the encounter of four Kerala youth with the Indian army last year. He used to call Riyaz only through land phones," he added.

"Sattar is one of the key persons we've been looking for. We're hoping to get the transit warrant and bring him here for further interrogation. We are also looking for other accomplices but can't reveal those names right now as it might hamper investigations,” says Karnataka DGP, IG R Srikumar.