Mumbai, Feb 12: Soliciting public assistance in fighting terrorism, Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) today announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh each to anyone giving information on elusive Indian Mujahideen's chief Yasin Bhatkal and his 3 aides allegedly involved in several terror cases.
The ATS also released to the media, posters consisting their latest photographs, address and physical appearance details such as height, built and age.
"We would like to announce a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh each to any person providing information leading to the arrest of Mohammed Ahmed Siddhibappa alias Yasin Bhatkal (30), Tahaseen Akhtar Wasim Aktar Shaikh (23), Asadulla Akhtar Javed Akhtar (26) and Waqas alias Ahmed (26)," ATS chief Rakesh Maria said.
All the four wanted accused were allegedly involved in three coordinated bomb explosions at different locations in the peak evening hours in Mumbai on July 13, 2011.
The blasts had occurred at Opera House, Zaveri Bazaar, and Dadar West, leaving 27 dead and 130 injured, the ATS said.
Five accused had been arrested in connection with the blasts and a 4000-page charge sheet was filed in May last year in a special MCOCA court.
Except Tahaseen, who planted a bomb in the Dadar blast, the rest three were also involved in the four co-ordinated low-intensity explosions, which struck the busy arterial road in the heart of Pune city on August 1, 2012. Eight accused had been arrested in this connection.
Yasin and Asadulla were also involved in bomb blasts which took place in the past one decade in Ahmedabad, Surat, Bangalore, Delhi and Hyderabad, the ATS said.
"We request the public to inform us if they spot the four wanted accused, on the two dedicated mobile numbers 09619122222, 08652012345 and landline number 022-23791619. The phone lines would be manned round the clock. Citizens can also email us at atswantedaccused@gmail.Com or atswantedaccused@yahoo.Co.In," Maria said.
In December 2011, Delhi police had also announced a reward of Rs 15 lakh for any information leading to the arrest of Yasin Bhatkal in several terror cases, including three in Delhi.
According to ATS, Yasin hails from Bhatkal in Karnataka, Tahaseen is from Samastipur in Bihar while Asadullah is from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh.
The ATS mentioned Waqas's age, description of his physical appearance, but did not disclose as to which place he hails from, stating that they do not have his exact details with them.
"After consulting with all the security agencies, the decision to make public the faces of the four accused has been taken," Maria said.
Explaining the modus operandi of the accused, Maria said the accused used to focus on areas in which mostly students resided. They would then take a property on rent in such areas by disguising as students.
"There were instances when we had shown the photos of these accused to people during the investigation, who said that they had seen them a few days before. So we decided that if we release their photographs, it will become easier for us to trace them," Maria added.
The posters would be circulated across India and could be seen at important locations, railway stations, police stations, security agencies, bus stops, educational institutes and others.
