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Ballistic tests show seized pistol used to kill Pandya
New Delhi, June 05: The ballistic examination of the weapons seized by the CBI has concluded that the same were used in gunning down former Gujarat home minister Haren Pandya.
New Delhi, June 05: The ballistic examination of the weapons seized by the CBI has concluded that the same were used in gunning down former Gujarat home minister Haren Pandya.
According to highly-placed CBI sources, the ballistic examination of the .32 calibre revolver and pistol showed that the bullets recovered from the assassinated state minister's body were from the same weapons.
The arms along with some loose ammunition were seized by the CBI on April 27 at the instance of three persons -- Anas Machiswala, Kalim Ahmed and Shahnawaz, all residents of Ahmedabad -- arrested in Hyderabad for the alleged conspiracy of gunning down Pandya.
The ballistic examination of the weapons and subsequent confirmation about the weapon used in the assassination would help the agency now to complete the chargesheet within the stipulated time of 90 days, expiring this month end.
Pandya was shot dead near Law Garden locality in Ahmedabad on March 26 on his way back home after a morning walk.
So far the investigations have pointed to a dangerous nexus between underworld gang of Dawood Ibrahim, Pakistan's ISI and militant outfit Lashker-e-Taiba behind the murder.
During investigations into the case, security agencies came across information that the alleged assassins of Pandya were among a batch of terrorist recruits sent to Pakistan in mid-2002 with assistance of Dawood's men.
The recruits were trained by LeT before their clandestine return to the country in January 2003.
The assassins of Pandya were also tasked to attack the oil installations and other important buildings in Gujarat with the logistics of funds, weapons and explosives being entrusted to Chota Dawood and other members of D-company.
The sources said that the "cosy nexus" had come to light after the statement of AnilP, a Dubai-based D-company gangster, who was deported here in April.
The CBI has so far arrested 12 people in connection with the assassination of Pandya. They are Hyderabad-based sharpshooter Asghar Ali and his four accomplices Mohd Abdul Rauf, Mohd Abdul Bari, Mohd Saifuddin and Sayyed Iftikhar, Kaleem Ahmed, Anas Machiswala, Shahnawaz Gandhi (all locals), Mohd Pervez Sheikh, Rehan Abdul Majid Punthawala, Mohd Riaz and Mohd Yunus Sareshwala (alleged ISI agents).
The CBI also slapped Pota charges against all of them in a special court in Ahmedabad on June two because they were "inimical" towards Pandya and targetted him as they held him "responsible" for killing of Muslims during the post-Godhra riots in the city last year.
Bureau Report
The arms along with some loose ammunition were seized by the CBI on April 27 at the instance of three persons -- Anas Machiswala, Kalim Ahmed and Shahnawaz, all residents of Ahmedabad -- arrested in Hyderabad for the alleged conspiracy of gunning down Pandya.
The ballistic examination of the weapons and subsequent confirmation about the weapon used in the assassination would help the agency now to complete the chargesheet within the stipulated time of 90 days, expiring this month end.
Pandya was shot dead near Law Garden locality in Ahmedabad on March 26 on his way back home after a morning walk.
So far the investigations have pointed to a dangerous nexus between underworld gang of Dawood Ibrahim, Pakistan's ISI and militant outfit Lashker-e-Taiba behind the murder.
During investigations into the case, security agencies came across information that the alleged assassins of Pandya were among a batch of terrorist recruits sent to Pakistan in mid-2002 with assistance of Dawood's men.
The recruits were trained by LeT before their clandestine return to the country in January 2003.
The assassins of Pandya were also tasked to attack the oil installations and other important buildings in Gujarat with the logistics of funds, weapons and explosives being entrusted to Chota Dawood and other members of D-company.
The sources said that the "cosy nexus" had come to light after the statement of AnilP, a Dubai-based D-company gangster, who was deported here in April.
The CBI has so far arrested 12 people in connection with the assassination of Pandya. They are Hyderabad-based sharpshooter Asghar Ali and his four accomplices Mohd Abdul Rauf, Mohd Abdul Bari, Mohd Saifuddin and Sayyed Iftikhar, Kaleem Ahmed, Anas Machiswala, Shahnawaz Gandhi (all locals), Mohd Pervez Sheikh, Rehan Abdul Majid Punthawala, Mohd Riaz and Mohd Yunus Sareshwala (alleged ISI agents).
The CBI also slapped Pota charges against all of them in a special court in Ahmedabad on June two because they were "inimical" towards Pandya and targetted him as they held him "responsible" for killing of Muslims during the post-Godhra riots in the city last year.
Bureau Report