Nashik MPA attack conspirator Bilal trained in Pakistan: ATS

Bilal was trained in advanced combat course (Daura-e-Khas) at a camp in Muzaffarabad in Pakistan to launch terror attacks in India, Pune ATS Police Inspector Sukhlal Varpe told Additional Sessions Court Judge K K Tantrapale.

Bilal and Himayat Beig who is an accused in Pune's German Bakery bomb blast case of 2010, were chargesheeted by ATS for planning to attack MPA, located on Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Road, in 2010.

26/11 handler Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal is also a suspect in the case.

"Varpe told the court yesterday that Bilal confessed to having been trained in Pakistan. His (Varpe's) incomplete statement will be recorded today," special public prosecutor Ajay Misar told reporters.

Bilal Shaikh and Himayat Baig had undertaken a recce of the Maharashtra Police Academy and Devlali Cantonment area in 2010, the ATS said in its charge sheet.

Bilal was arrested by the ATS in 2010 from Nashik's Satpur locality and 700 gms RDX, four detonators, a pen drive and a memory card were recovered from him. Baig was also arrested in 2010 for his alleged involvement in Pune's German Bakery blast.

Bilal and Baig were present in the court, however, Jundal could not be produced before the court, Misar said.

Meanwhile, the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate A D Savant in Nashik today extended Jundal's judicial custody till October 31.