Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal, 4 others sentenced to death for 2013 bombings

A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court run out of Hyderabad's Cherlapally Central Jail sentenced Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal and 4 others to death Monday for the 2013 Hyderabad twin bomb attacks, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

IM co-founder Mohd Ahmed Sidibapa alias Yasin Bhatkal, Pakistani national Zia-ur-Rahman alias Waqas, Asadullah Akhtar alias Haddi, Tahaseen Akhtar alias Monu, and Ajaz Shaikh had been convicted by the court on December 13.

The five men were found guilty of detonating two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) near the Dilsukhnagar bus stop on February 21, 2013.

The bombings in the heart of the city killed 18 people and injured 131.

The prime accused in the case and IM co-founder Riyaz Bhatkal is absconding. He is believed to be in Pakistan.

Indian Mujahideen was declared a terrorist group and banned by the Indian government in 2010. 

Before they carried out their bomb attack, the IM operatives allegedly conducted a test blast on a hill on the outskirts of Hyderabad. 

(WION with inputs from PTI)