Bhatkal, aide sent to police custody in Jama Masjid attack case

Yasin Bhatkal and other associates, in September 2010, planned and carried out a terror strike at Jama Masjid

Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal and close aide Asadullah Akhtar were today remanded in police custody till December 10 by a Delhi court in connection with the September 2010 Jama Masjid terror attack case days before the Commonwealth Games held here.

Yasin and Akhtar were produced before Additional Sessions Judge Daya Prakash after expiry of their police custody in connection with a separate case and the Special Cell of Delhi Police sought their custodial interrogation for 15 days for unearthing the entire conspiracy leading to the September 19, 2010 Jama Masjid attack.

The police told the court that on September 19, 2010, two bikers had fired upon tourists descending from at the gate of Jama Masjid in Old Delhi and two Taiwanis, Ku-Ze-Wei and Ko-chiange, had sustained bullet injuries.

The special cell told the court that during interrogation, Yasin had disclosed that he had arranged the logistics for Akhtar, Waqas, who is still absconding, and other IM members who carried out the attack near the prominent mosque here.

"During interrogation, accused Asadullah Akhtar disclosed that he along with Yasin Bhatkal and other associates, in September 2010, on the direction of Pakistan-based IM commanders Riyaz Bhatkal and Iqbal Bhatkal, planned and carried out a terror strike at Jama Masjid on September 19, 2010.

"For this, he (Akhtar) along with Waqas came from Pakistan and stayed in rented room at Shastri Park arranged by Yasin Bhatkal where they planned the terrorist attack on foreigners," the police said in its remand application.

Seeking their custody, the special cell also said that they have to unearth the entire conspiracy and have to ascertain the source of arms and ammunitions procured by IM members for carrying out the terror strike.

Earlier, the police had taken custody of Yasin and Akhtar in another case lodged in 2011 over allegations involving the setting up of an illegal arms factory here.