Bhatkal's aide Akhtar was in touch with Atif Ameen: Police

Indian Mujahideen (IM) co-founder Yasin Bhatkal's aide Asadullah Akhtar was in touch with Mohammad Atif Ameen, who died in the 2008 Batla House shootout, for planning Delhi serial blasts, Delhi police told a court here Monday.

Police said the Central Forensic Science Laboratory report has confirmed that voice sample of Akhtar has matched with the intercepted voice calls that were exchanged between Akhtar and Ameen.

The shootout between a Delhi Police Special Cell team and alleged IM operatives occurred at Batla House in south Delhi Sep 19, 2008, days after serial blasts rocked the national capital Sep 13 claiming 26 lives.

Akhtar called Ameen for planning through his associate Mohammad Hakim the capital's serial blasts that were to use cycle ball bearings. Hakim is facing trial in that serial blasts case, police said.

Police made the submissions to Additional Sessions Judge Daya Prakash while seeking more days to conclude the probe in the 2008 Karol Bagh blasts case.

The court accepted the plea after it was told that questioning of Akhtar in the case has revealed vital informations about one more accused in this case named Ariz Khan alias Junaid. The operation to trace him is underway.

The court, meanwhile, dismissed the bail application of Bhatkal and Akhtar, filed through advocate M.S. Khan.