One of three suspected members of the Harkat-Ul-Jihad-al-Islami (Huji) - arrested from Gaya on Wednesday - has confessed to his involvement in the serial blasts that rocked Ahmedabad in July 2008, leaving 56 persons dead and over 200 others injured.

A senior police officer confided on Thursday that the arrested Huji activist, Tauseef Khan aka Mohammad Atik, was staying in Gaya since 2008 and has so far trained over 20 youths in jihad. Known as a mathematics teacher, Tauseef used to train teenagers in the garb of giving them tuition. He is an engineering graduate from a Maharashtra-based engineering college.

The police officer, who was present during the hour-long interrogation, said Tauseef had fled to Myanmar after the Gujarat blasts. Some months later, he reached Bengal from where he landed in Gaya to carry out his nefarious activities. Sarwar Khan, a resident of Gaya's Shah Deo Khap village, arranged his stay.

Luck ran out on Wednesday when Tauseef and his associate Shane Khan were caught from an area under the jurisdiction of Gaya civil lines police station. The two fell in the police trap soon after they came out of a cyber café near Rajendra Ashram. But his other aides managed to flee.

Additional director general (headquarters) S.K. Singhal said the photograph released by Gujarat police's anti-terrorism squad (ATS) in connection with the 2008 blasts matches with one of the three persons arrested in Gaya. An ATS Gujarat team was to reach Patna by Thursday evening, he said.

Singhal, who is also the official spokesperson of the state police, said senior officials of the state and central intelligence agencies, ATS and the special task force were quizzing the arrested persons. 'Information elicited from them was being verified,' he said.

Inspector-general (Patna zone) Nayyar Hasnain Khan, who rushed to Gaya, said Tauseef had confessed his involvement in the Ahmedabad blasts. 'Though he is a hard nut to crack, the police somehow elicited vital information,' he told The Telegraph after reviewing security in Gaya.

Earlier, Gaya senior superintendent of police (SP) Garima Mallick announced felicitation of cyber café owner Anurag Basu for helping the police in the arrest. 'This is perhaps the first time a law-abiding citizen came forward to help the police in the arrest of a terror suspect,' she said.

Basu, who runs Vishnu Cyber Café, suspected foul play when the suspects refused to provide identity proof and left. Basu thought the profile of one of the visitors matched with that of a wanted terrorist, photographs of who are displayed at important places in Gaya and Bodhgaya. He intercepted them near Shaheed Chowk. A police team from Civil Lines police station led by station house officer Hari Ojha reached the spot and took them into custody.

The town is already on a high alert in the wake of Pitripaksha fair and rush of visitors there from different parts of the country to offer Pind Daan rituals for departed souls.

Initially Tauseef, who is in his late 40s, tried to mislead the police by saying he was a simple teacher at a village school in Gaya. But on further quizzing, he broke down and revealed his identity. Subsequently, the Gujarat ATS was informed.

IG Khan said a SIM card and pen drive seized from Tauseef had been handed over to cyber experts.

A warrant of arrest was pending against Tauseef in Gujarat. But a separate case would be lodged in Gaya, he said.

Tauseef's arrest has come as a rude shock for residents of Shahdeo Khap village. 'It's hard to believe he was involved in subversive activities. He used to greet people whenever we approached him to help our wards in their studies,' said a resident.

All police stations in Gaya district have been put on maximum alert. The IG, SSP and city SP reviewed security arrangements around Mahabodhi Mahavihara. Four companies of the Bihar Military Police, including a woman one, have been deployed to guard pilgrims.

The Gaya SSP warned stern action against police personnel found talking on cellphones while guarding the temple.

On July 7, 2013, serial blasts in Bodhgaya left two Buddist monks injured. The case was investigated by the National Investigation Agency, which hinted at the involvement of Indian Mujahidden and Students of Islamic Movement of India.