According to sources, Shafiq was one of the close associates of Azam Chima, the ``launching commander'' of Pakistan based militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba. He was directed by Chima to keep contact with Ajmal in Gandhinagar and Bablu alias Osman in Mumbai and plan to eliminate VIPs, besides creating disturbance.

Shafiq was nabbed by an ATS team at Jodhpur where he was in touch with Ajmal. The police was tipped off that Shafiq was regularly contacting Ajmal and Bablu and passing on the instruction, besides, explosives and arms to both the agents.

After the killing of Ajmal, the case was registered by Shahibaug police. However, the ATS has been directed by the headquarters to continue the investigations. The accused was produced before a local court for further remand on Thursday.