Bhatkals among 10 IM operatives on NIA’s hit list

Top 10 absconding operatives of terror outfit Indian Mujahideen are now on NIA's hit list for continuously plotting and executing bomb blasts in India that includes their latest strike in Hyderabad on February 21. HT reports.

Top 10 absconding operatives of terror outfit Indian Mujahideen (IM) are now on the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) hit list for continuously plotting and executing bomb blasts in India that includes their latest strike in Hyderabad on February 21.

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“On an application moved by the NIA, the special court issued arrest warrants against Riyaz Bhatkal, Iqbal Bhatkal, Mohsin Chaudhary, Amir Reza Khan, Dr Shahnawaz Alam, Asadullah Akhtar alias Tabrez, Ariz Khan alias Waqas, Mohd Khalid, Mirza Shadaab Beg and Mohd Sajid alias Bada Sajid. Some of them –Riyaz, Iqbal, Amir Reza, and Shahnawaz -- are believed to be in Pakistan and have full support of Pakistan’s ISI for recruiting new terror operatives and financing their operations,” said a senior security official.

The NIA has registered an open-ended FIR in connection with the IM’s activities. The agency will soon register a separate FIR in connection with the Hyderabad blast.

The agency had taken on remand two IM operatives Syed Maqbool and Imran, who did recee of Hyderabad in July last year. They were arrested by the Delhi police in connection with the Pune blasts.

After their questioning, the NIA will now grill another alleged IM operative Obaie-Ur-Rehman who is currently lodged in a Bangalore jail.

“There are around half-a-dozen Andhra residents under NIA’s scanner for their alleged involvement in the Hyderabad blasts. Investigators have reasons to believe that Rehman may have information about them...,” a home ministry official said.