Court extends police custody of Hizbul terrorist involved in 11 terror attacks by 5 days

New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) A Delhi court on Friday extended by another five days the police custody of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist, Javed Ahmed Mattoo, allegedly involved in 11 terror attack cases in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Special Cell of Delhi Police in coordination with other agencies on January 4 arrested the 'A++ category' terrorist, who carried a reward of Rs 10 lakh for his involvement in a series of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

He was presented at the court following the expiry of his previously granted seven-day police custody.

On an application moved by the Delhi Police, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Nabeela Wali of Patiala House Courts extended the 32-year-old's police custody till January 17.

Mattoo a.k.a. Irshad Ahmed Malla alias Ehsan, who hails from Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district, was allegedly involved in five grenade attacks in the Kashmir Valley.

Wanted in connection with 11 terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Mattoo was evading arrest for the last 13 years.

According to sources, the police are currently in search of the handler responsible for providing arms and ammunition to Mattoo in Delhi. Mattoo was apprehended by the Special Cell of Delhi Police in the Nizammudin area, where he had arrived to collect weapons and ammunition from his associates, acting upon the instructions of Pakistan's intelligence agency, Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).

Sources said that a handler based in Pakistan was looking after the delivery of arms and ammunition, directing Mattoo to carry out terrorist activities in J&K and other locations.

Investigators believe in the critical importance of arresting the arms supplier, as Mattoo's capture likely alerted his superiors in Pakistan, potentially prompting a change in their planned actions. Mattoo, the sole surviving A++ category J&K-based terrorist, had gone underground a decade ago after sustaining injuries in a clash with security forces.

He fled to Nepal as per the ISI's instructions to evade the J&K Police.

It was also revealed by sources that Mattoo possesses expertise in handling rocket-propelled grenades, under barrel grenade launchers, and AK-47s.