Even as a high-level probe panel in Delhi on Monday spoke of the Godhra train fire as an "accident", the chief investigating officer in the case claimed before the Godhra Commission in Ahmedabad that a "terrorist link" had emerged during his investigations.

Also see: Godhra train fire was an accident -- Report

During his cross-examination by advocate Mukul Sinha before Justice (retired) G T Nanavati and Justice (retired) K
G Shah, inspector Noel Parmar said: "I cannot reveal the name of the terrorist organisation as the case is under
investigation."

Parmar also revealed that it was after the interrogation of a dismissed Central Reserve Police Force jawan that he decided to apply Prevention of Terrorism Act to the train carnage case. "I recorded the statement of the dismissed CRPF jawan, Nanymiya, on October 18, 2002 and after that I decided that POTA can be applied in this case," he said.

Parmar, however, did not reveal what was the statement recorded.