Three more arrested in Bangalore serial blasts case.

MT

BANGALORE, Dec.17 : Three more persons have been arrested in connection with the serial blasts that rocked the city in July last year on the basis of interrogation of two Lashkar-e-Taiba suspects, a top police official said.

LeT suspects, Nazir and Shafaz Shamsuddin, handed over to India by Bangladesh rifles recently and subsequently brought here, provided the information leading to the arrests, Bangalore police commissioner Shankar Bidari said.

Four vehicles used for transporting explosive materials and planting of bombs were seized from the arrested persons -- Tajuddin from Vadimara, Surfuddin from Kannur (both in Kerala) and Abdul Khadar from Virajpet (Karnataka).

The Bangalore serial blasts were carried out with financial assistance and guidance by LeT. Besides, Nazir and Shafaz were financially assisted by the Pakistan-based militant outfit during their stay in Bangladesh, Bidari said.

Nazir also revealed his involvement in various other terror activities including the Kalamassery bus burning, twin blasts at Kozhikode, attempt to murder former Kerala chief minister E K Nayanar and the Coimbatore Press Club bomb blasts, he said.

Police have registered nine cases in connection with the Bangalore serial blasts.

Nazir and Shafaz have been questioned by Karnataka and Tamil Nadu police. The duo are now in Kerala police custody. A National Investigation Agency team is also in Kozhikode to question them.