Arrests made in Indian bombings

SURAT, India, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Indian police say they have arrested two Surat men alleged to have played major roles in the July planting of 25 bombs in that city.

None of the bombs exploded due to faulty mechanisms but they were connected to terrorist bombings a few days before in Ahmedabad that killed 45, the Press Trust of India reported Wednesday.

"We have arrested Tanveer Pathan and Jahir Patel, two locals, who played a major role in helping those who had come from outside to plant bombs in the city," Surat Police Commissioner R. M. S. Brar said.

The men were reportedly arrested on the basis of confessions from four accused Ahmedabad bombers. All the suspects are members of the Students Islamic Movement of India, say police.

Authorities say that the Surat bombs could have been equally lethal to those in Ahmedabad if correctly set.