Is Indian Mujahideen (IM) co-founder Yasin Bhatkal indeed the man who masterminded and executed the February 21 Dilsukhnagar bomb blasts in Hyderabad? Though Bhatkal has so far claimed responsibility for several other blasts in the country, he continues to deny any role in the Hyderabad blasts.
Following this, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will confront Yasin Bhatkal with another IM cadre, Asadullah Akhtar alias Haddi, also in the custody of NIA, in the next couple of days to get at the truth.
Bhatkal, who was brought to Hyderabad on a prisoner transit warrant, is at present in the NIA custody and kept in a location completely surrounded by security forces, on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
Sources associated with Bhatkal’s interrogation disclosed to Express that the IM pointsman claims that he had no role or any idea of the Dilsukhnagar blasts. “Hyderabad blast se mera koi taluk nahi hai,” is what Bhatkal told his interrogators bluntly even as he gave minute details of all other blasts executed by him.
Though police officials initially were of the view that Bhatkal was trying to mislead them, they are now left wondering after he repeatedly made the claim and went on to say that there was no reason for him to mislead the police when he has already confessed to other bomb blasts in the country.
He has confessed to his role in the blasts in Pune, Ahmedabad, Delhi and other places. “At the moment, we are not sure whether he was really involved or not,” sources said.
Sources said that another IM cadre, Asadullah Akhtar alias Haddi, who is also in the custody of NIA, has reportedly confessed that he was one of the planters of the IED.
Both Yasin Bhatkal and Asadullah would be brought face-to-face with each other, which the investigators expect, could throw more light on the case and also the local contacts. “So far, Bhatkal has not given any names of local contacts. He has told us about the IM members in other states, some of whom have already fled,” they added.