The Maharashtra Anti Terrorist Sqad, ATS, on Tuesday said that Haroon Rashid Naik Sheikh, one of the three men accused in the July 13, 2011 Mumbai blasts case, might have been trained by Osama Bin Laden.

According to ATS sources, investigations show that 33 year old Haroon Shiekh had met the former Al Qaida Chief, Osama Bin Laden in Bahawalpur in Pakistan in August 2001. He also allegedly took more than a month's training at a camp which included being trained by Osama Bin Laden himself.

Investigations have also shown that Sheikh is possibly the first Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative to have had links with the Al Qaida and the Jaish- e – Mohammad militant organisation based in Pakistan.

Investigation agencies believe that Sheikh was close to the co-founder of the Indian Mujahieen, Riyaz Bhatkal who could have facilitated his meeting with Osama Bin Laden.

ATS sources have said that Haroon Sheikh also took care of hawala operations in the 13/7 blasts in Mumbai which had left 27 people dead and nearly 100 injured when three bombs exploded in quick succession in Zaveri Bazar, Dadar and near Opera House in Mumbai.

Haroon Sheikh was arrested in Mumbai last year in connection with a fake currency case and was later charged in the blasts while in custody.