NIA announces reward for info about two IM operatives

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has announced reward of Rs.10 lakh each for information about two operatives of the Indian Mujahideen (IM), including a Pakistani, allegedly involved in Feb 21 bomb blasts in Hyderabad.

Stating that they are hiding somewhere in India and may be planning further attacks, the NIA sought people's assistance in apprehending them.

Tahseen Akhtar alias Monu alias Hassan and Waqas alias Javed alias Ahmed are also allegedly involved in the blasts at Varanasi (2010) and Mumbai (2011). Tahseen is a native of Bihar while Waqas is a Pakistani and his last known address in India was Mangalore (Karnataka).

The NIA has released the pictures and other details of the two IM operatives and has appealed to people to provide any information to the agency. It said the identity of those providing information will be kept confidential.

The NIA released the photographs of the suspects on the day when it began questioning IM co-founder Yasin Bhatkal here in connection with Feb 21 bomb blasts. A Hyderabad court had Monday remanded Bhatkal to 15-day custody of NIA.

The NIA is already questioning Bhatkal's aide Asadullah Akhtar, who was brought here last week. They were arrested on India-Nepal border last month and are allegedly involved in several terror attacks in different parts of the country.

Seventeen people were killed and 100 others were injured in the twin bomb blast at crowded Dilsukhnagar area here on Feb 21.

Tahseen Akhtar, a native of Samastipur district of Bihar, is computer savvy and extensively visits cyber cafes. He is capable of changing identities and can pose as a person belonging to another community.

"He is likely to be found near important tourist sites, pretending himself to be a tourist guide for cover and survey of possible targets for attack," the NIA said in a statement.

The agency said both the IM operatives are likely to contact shops for purchasing SIM cards using fake documents.

Waqas, who speaks in Urdu/Hindi with strong Punjabi accent, generally wears half shirt, pant and sport shoes and walks with a slight bent. He suffers from facial paralysis and visits doctors frequently for treatment.