NEW DELHI/PATNA: Bihar Police 's decision not to question Yasin Bhatkal about his role in raising the Darbhanga module of Indian Mujahideen came as a surprise to intelligence agencies.

Sources said that although IM terrorists are suspects in the serial blasts in Bodh Gaya, Bihar Police did not question Yasin about his network in the state which has been his favourite hunting ground.

According to sources in central agencies, Yasin has an array of contacts in Bihar, particularly in the Darbhanga region, and would often take shelter in the state to dodge cops looking for him. "Any police force would have liked to keep him with them for information on terror attacks and members of terror modules," said a senior police officer.

Sources in Bihar government also confirmed that Bihar Police, which initially seemed excited about the catch, eventually decided to keep a distance from the arrest as was evident from its decision not to register a case. Eventually, it was the National Investigation Agency which registered the case. Even the interrogation of Yasin was handled by the NIA team, with Bihar Police flitting in and out of Motihari Police Lines.