Police detain 2 at Akshardham temple

Police have detained two youths for concealing their identity at the Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar, official sources said on Friday.

The youths, identified as Mohammed Harshad and Taufeeq Pathan, were moving about in a suspicious manner on Thursday when the temple authorities asked their identity. However, the duo gave vague replies.

Dissatisfied, the authorities summoned the State Reserve Police Force jawans posted there and on questioning, the youths identified themselves as Samir and Harshad, the sources added.

However, the SRP then informed the Gandhinagar police, who took the duo for interrogation.

Gandhinagar District Superintendent of Police R B Brahmabhatt said Harshad belongs to Bhopal and his mother and two sisters-in-law were visiting their uncle in Kalupur area of Ahmedabad.

Pathan is a tailor in Mirzapur area of the city and both are reportedly related, he said.

"We have cross-checked details at the telephone numbers and the addresses given by the two. Everything seems normal right now, but we are not taking any chances and interrogating them thoroughly," the DSP added.

Two heavily armed terrorists had stormed the temple on September 24 last year, killing 39 visitors.

Later, the National Security Guards killed the two terrorists in an overnight operation.