Police custody of IM co-founder Yasin Bhatkal extended till 26 Nov

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Tuesday extended till 26 November the police custody of Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal and close aide Asadullah Akhtar in connection with a case lodged in 2011 over allegations involving the setting up of an illegal arms factory. The accused were produced before court upon expiry of their 15-day custodial interrogation and the Special Cell of Delhi Police sought extended custody for an identical period saying the duo have to be taken to various states to identify the sources of arms and ammunition used in terror activities. [caption id=“attachment_1225355” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  IM co-founder Yasin Bhatkal. AFP[/caption] Additional Sessions Judge Daya Prakash allowed the plea by police and granted extension of custody till 26 November. Placing its request, special cell police said Bhatkal is to be taken to Ranchi and Darbhanga to locate the hideouts of absconding accused Tehshin Akhtar while Akhtar will be taken to Mangalore and Goa to trace the whereabouts of another accused, Waqas. Tehshin and Waqas both are active IM members who are wanted in various terror cases in Delhi and other states, police said. “Accused persons are to be taken to different states to identify and trace the source of arms, ammunition, explosives procured/used by them for carrying out terrorist activities,” police said in its remand application. Police added that they were awaiting the call detail records of the phone numbers used by the accused in order to confront the duo with the same and unearth the plots and the culprits behind several terror attacks by IM in India. The Special Cell had in November, 2011, busted an illegal arms factory in the Meer Vihar area of Nangloi in Outer Delhi and arrested several alleged IM suspects. An FIR was lodged against Bhatkal on November 22, 2011, which was followed by a non-bailable warrant in the case. PTI