Hyderabad blasts: Bhatkal's aide sent to judicial custody

A city court Thursday sent Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal's aide Asadullah Akhtar to judicial custody till Oct 17 in Dilsukhnagar bomb blasts case.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) produced Akhtar alias Tabrez at Nampally court amid tight security. The first additional metropolitan sessions judge remanded him to judicial custody. He was shifted to Cherlapally jail.

The NIA also moved a petition, seeking 10-day custody of the accused for questioning in connection with Feb 21 bomb blasts at Dilsukhnagar here.

The twin blasts at the crowded Dilsukhnagar market claimed 18 lives. Bhatkal and Akhtar, allegedly involved in several bomb blasts in different parts of the country, were arrested by Bihar Police on the India-Nepal border Aug 28. The NIA later brought them to Delhi and interrogated them.

The terror suspects reportedly confessed their role in Dilsukhnagar blast. They allegedly planted explosives on two bicycles.

According to Hyderabad police, the profiles of the two suspects seen in the CCTV footage before the blasts match with Bhatkal and Akhtar.