RAWALPINDI, Feb 12: An anti-terrorism court on Tuesday extended the physical remand of two persons held in connection with the plot to assassinate former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

Judge Sakhi Mohammed Kahot awarded eight days remand of the suspects in response to the 12 day demand of the joint investigation team probing into the December 27 murder.

Deputy Superintendent of police Chaudhry Mujahid Khan had requested the court to extend the physical custody of Aitzaz Shah, s/o Zaheer Shah, a resident of Mansehra, and his accomplice Sher Zaman, s/o Akbar Khan, a resident of Dera Ismail Khan to the police for 12 days, but the judge granted only eight days.

The investigators will produce the men along with two other suspects, Hasnain and Rafaqat, in court on the next date of hearing on February 20.

The men had been arrested from Rawalpindi a few days back on the basis of information gathered from Aitzaz and Sher Zaman.

The investigators claimed that the suspects had links with militants in tribal areas.

Police will probe the four men on charges of murder, attempted murder, terrorism, using banned explosive materials, causing mischief by fire and explosives to damage property and criminal conspiracy.—Reporter