IM tried to contact Nepal Maoists: NIA

Indian Mujahideen (IM) co-founder Yasin Bhatkal tried to contact Maoists of Nepal to seek their help in carrying out terror strikes in India, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said in the charge sheet filed against him.

"Investigation has established that Bhatkal, acting upon the direction of the absconding accused Mohd Riyaz, made attempts to contact Maoists of Nepal to seek their help," the NIA said in its charge sheet.

Mentioning portions of conversation between Bhatkal and Riyaz, the investigating agency said IM was trying to contact Maoists for procuring arms and weapons.

Bhatkal had met a Maoist leader in 2012 to strike a deal for supplying weapons. Later, he met other Maoist leaders but the deal could not materialise as a senior Maoist leader demanded high rates for supplying weapons.

The NIA filed a second charge sheet Feb 20 against Bhatkal, Asadullah Akhtar, Manzar Imam and U. Ahmed for their alleged role in the conspiracy and participation in major terrorist attacks in different parts in the country.

It was the second charge sheet filed in the case, registered Sep 10, 2012, against IM members for carrying out terrorist activities and conspiracy for waging war against the country.