Two suspected LeT operatives sent to police custody till Jan 3

NEW DELHI, Dec 21: Two suspected operatives of banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), arrested for allegedly conspiring to carry out terror strikes in Delhi, were today remanded in police custody till January 3 by a court here.

Rashid and Shahid, both aged 28, were produced before the court after expiry of their police remand and special cell of Delhi Police sought extension of their custody by 13 days contending that they are required for further interrogation to unearth the entire conspiracy.

The police claimed in the court that these accused were in touch with Pakistan-based LeT commander Javed Baluchi through mobile phones and were conspiring to carry out terror attacks in the national capital.

They also said that interrogation of these accused was necessary to know about the whereabouts of some absconding accused, who were also part of the entire conspiracy.

Opposing the police’s plea, advocate M S Khan, appearing for Rashid and Shahid, argued that there were no new facts for which his clients are required to be quizzed.

Additional Sessions Judge Daya Prakash allowed police’s plea and extended the police custody of both the accused till January 3 next year.

Both Rashid and Shahid have been booked for the offences punishable under provisions of stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and under section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC.

Rashid, allegedly a top leader of LeT’s Mewat module, was given the task by his Pakistan-based handlers for creating a network in the region and also to recruit people for carrying out blasts in the national capital region, police had claimed.

Rashid, an Imam at a mosque in Nuh district in Haryana, was also providing logistic supports to members of LeT, they had alleged.

According to police, Shahid was working as a Maulvi in Noorani Masjid in Choti Mewli village in Nuh district.

The responsibility entrusted to Shahid by his handlers was arranging logistics and communication for terrorist attack, it had claimed. (PTI)