Maharashtra wants Bhatkal’s custody

    By IANS,

    Mumbai : A team of Maharashtra’s Anti-Terrorism Squad Thursday left for Delhi to interrogate and possibly secure the custody of Indian Mujahiddeen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal in connection with various terror cases in the state.

    Hailing Bhatkal’s arrest as “a big success for the intelligence agencies,” Home Minister R.R. Patil said Bhatkal was wanted in eight cases in the state, including the Feb 13, 2010 Pune German Bakery bombing.

    “The legalities to gain custody of Bhaktal are in progress. While gaining custody may take some time, the state ATS has decided to send a team so that interrogation of Bhatkal can be initiated. The (ATS) team will also help the intelligence agencies in the investigations,” Patil said.

    In February 2013, the ATS had announced a reward of Rs.1 million for four terrorist suspects including Sharukh alias Mohammed Ahmad Zarar alias Siddhibapa alias Imran alias Yasin Bhatkal.

    The ATS had also released sketches prepared from the hazy CCTV footage procured from the July 2011 Mumbai triple blasts in Dadar, Opera House and Zaveri Bazaar.