Waqas to establish missing links in Jama Masjid attack: Police

New Delhi: The arrest of wanted Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative Zia-ur-Rehman alias Waqas, a Pakistani national, would help establish the "missing links" in the probe into the September 2010 Jama Masjid terror attack, Delhi Police Wednesday told a court here.

The Special Cell of Delhi Police stated this before the court which allowed its plea for 15 days more time to complete their probe against IM co-founder Yasin Bhatkal and his close aide Asadullah Akhtar and denied bail to the duo in the September 19, 2010 terror attack case. According to the police, two bikers had fired on tourists at the gate of Jama Masjid here and two Taiwanese, Ku-Ze-Wei and Ko-chiange, had sustained bullet injuries whereas a bomb was fitted in a car parked in the area. During the hearing, special cell told the court that Waqas, who was wanted for his alleged role in string of terror attacks across the country, would be arrested in connection with this case and his interrogation would help them in establishing the missing links. "It is further stated that on March 22, wanted accused Waqas was arrested in case FIR number 54/11 (regarding illegal arms factory here) and is on police custody remand in that case. He has to be arrested in this case. "With the arrest of this wanted terrorist, the missing links in the conspiracy are likely to be established which requires that period of investigation and judicial custody of these accused persons (Bhatkal and Akhtar) be extended," it said. Meanwhile, advocate M S Khan, appearing for both Bhatkal and Akhtar, moved the bail application stating new grounds have been given by the police while seeking extension of period of investigation by 15 days. The court, however, dismissed the bail plea of both the accused and allowed police 15 days more time to conclude their probe against the accused. "Keeping in view the specific reasons given by the public prosecutor, my inference is that the period of investigation be further extended. Investigation agency is given 15 days for completing the investigation...," the judge said.