Islamabad: A Pakistani anti-terrorism court today issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud, blamed for masterminding the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto, and directed authorities to apprehend him by April 21.

Mehsud, the chief of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, is wanted in connection with a case related to two suicide attacks in Rawalpindi that was being heard by the court.

Judge Chaudhry Habibur Rehman said if Mehsud was not arrested and produced in the court, he would be declared a proclaimed offender.

The judge also extended till April 21 the judicial remand of two other accused, Rafaqat and Hasnain Gul, who too are charged with involvement in Bhutto's killing in December last year.

The same court had already directed authorities to issue advertisements in the print and electronic media seeking information that could lead to the arrest of Mehsud and other accused in the same case.

Source : PTI