UP ATS to interrogate Bhatkal: Senior cop

This, in connection with the blast at Sheetlaghat in Varanasi in 2010

Uttar Pradesh ATS will interrogate Yasin Bhatkal, co-founder of banned terror outfit Indian Mujahideen, in connection with the blast at Sheetlaghat in Varanasi in 2010, officials have said.

Sharing this today with reporters here, IG (Law and Order) RK Vishwakarma said that Bhatkal's name had come up in connection with the blast case being probed by ATS.

Vishwakarma added that after the initial interrogation, ATS would apply for Bhatkal's remand.

Two persons were killed and several others injured in the blast in Varanasi.

On the run for over five years across countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan, the 30-year-old Bhatkal was today nabbed in a joint operation by intelligence agencies and Bihar police.

He was arrested along with another IM leader, Asadulla Akhtar alias 'Haddi', hailing from the Baz Bahadur area of Azamgarh district in Uttar Pradesh, Vishwakarma said.

"Though Haddi is not accused in any cases in UP, he is accused in the May 13, 2008, Jaipur blasts, July 26, 2008, Ahmedabad blasts, the Sept. 13, 2008, Delhi serial blasts and the July 13, 2011, Maharastra serial blasts," he said.

While the Centre and NIA had announced rewards of Rs 10 lakh each for information on Bhatkal, Mumbai police had offered Rs 15 lakh and Delhi police had promised Rs 1 lakh for the same.