Hyd blast case: NIA gets custody of two alleged IM operatives

NIA had asked for custodial interrogation of operatives to unearth module responsible for blasts

Two alleged operatives of banned terror outfit Indian Mujahideen (IM) were today remanded by a Delhi court in five-day NIA custody for their interrogation in connection with the February 21 twin blasts in Hyderabad which claimed 16 lives.

Syed Maqbool and Imran Khan, who are currently lodged in Tihar Jail here following their arrest by the Delhi police in the August 2012 Pune blast case, were handed over to NIA for their custodial interrogation after the agency alleged they had in July last year done a recce of Hyderabad's Dilsukhnagar area where the blasts occurred.

The order was passed by District Judge I S Mehta after the agency submitted that the duo are suspected members of IM and their sustained custodial interrogation is required to unearth the module which was behind the blasts.

According to National Investigation Agency (NIA), the blasts took place on alleged instructions of IM's Pakistan-based founder Riyaz Bhatkal and the duo's interrogation will help in unearthing the exact plan envisaged by him.

The blasts in Hyderabad were triggered by IEDs planted near Konark and Venkatadiri theatres in Dilsukhnagar area.