American Centre attack prime accused sent to police custody

Kolkata, Oct 4 (IANS) Hasan Imam, a prime accused in the terrorist attack on the American Center here 14 years ago, was remanded to police custody till October 15 by a local court on Tuesday.

Imam was arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) from Bihar's Aurangabad district on Saturday and was flown to the city with personnel of the Special Task Force of Kolkata Police on Tuesday.

Imam is alleged to be a member of the "Asif Raza Commando Force" (ARCF) that carried out the attack on the American Center on January 22, 2002. Security agencies claims ARCF has links with the terror group Harkat-ul-Jihadi-e-Islam or HuJI.

Two motor-cycle borne terrorists sprayed bullets randomly on security personnel posted at the gate of the American Center. At least six police men were killed and 16 others injured in the attack that sent shockwaves across the city.

The agencies have claimed that the ARCF wanted to avenge the death of Asif Raza, founding member of the Indian Mujahideen. Raza was gunned down by the Gujarat police in Bharuch district in December, 2011.

Imam is said to have arranged for the motorcycle used by the attackers in the American Center incident.