Following leads from IM mastermind Yasin Bhatkal, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) suspects two of his key aides — Tehseen Akhtar hailing from Samastipur in Bihar and Waqas, a Pakistani national — could be hiding somewhere in the country and plotting future targets for terror attacks.
The duo, according to NIA sources, is known to incite communal hatred in the society. The NIA recently released the details of these two alleged terrorists wanted in Varanasi (2010) blasts, Mumbai (2011) serial terror attacks and Dilsukhnagar (Hyderabad) explosions (2013) and announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for information leading to the arrest of each on them.
Both of them are wanted for their roles in the conspiracy furthered by IM and commission of Varanasi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and other serial blasts. They are accused in the NIA case 06/2012 for carrying out terrorist activities being members of the IM and conspiracy to wage war against Government of India.
The duo poses as students to get accommodation on rent. While Akhtar speaks in Hindi and English with Bihari accent, Waqas alias Javed alias Ahmed speaks in Urdu and Hindi with strong Punjabi accent. Akhtar has a medium build but Waqas has a height of 6 ft and his weight ranges between 90 to 100 kg. Both are computer savvy and extensively visit cyber cafes. The duo also uses Android phones for accessing Internet.
According to the NIA, they are likely to be found near important tourist sites pretending themselves as guides for giving them cover for surveying possible targets for attacks, according to the NIA. They are also likely to visit shops selling SIM cards to procure them by furnishing fake documents for identity and proof of residence.
Waqas’ last known residence is Zephyr Heights, Mangalore where the NIA had also conducted raids recently. He suffers from facial paralysis and often visits doctors for treatment.