Pakistani link to US terror plot, says Chidambaram
November 6th, 2009 - 2:36 pm ICT by IANS
Hyderabad, Nov 6 (IANS) Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram Friday confirmed there was a definite Pakistani link to the terror plot uncovered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the US but said Indian security forces were capable of thwarting any attack.
“There is an obvious Pakistan link. If you have read the affidavit of the FBI agent filed in the court and reproduced in papers, there is a Pakistan link. David (Coleman) Headley visited Pakistan a number of times,” Chidambaram told reporters after the passing out parade at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy here.
“I think on the advise of the FBI, two or perhaps more persons have been arrested in Pakistan. There is a definite Pakistani link,” he said.
This is the first reaction from Indian government to reports that terrorists were planning major attacks in India.
US citizen Headley, 49, and Pakistani-born Canadian citizen Tahawwur Hussein Rana, 48, were arrested by the FBI in the US for plotting attacks in India at the behest of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT).
They reportedly told FBI during their interrogation that LeT planned attacks on National Defence College in New Delhi, two high-profile boarding schools in northern India and tourist destinations frequented by foreigners ahead of 26/11 anniversary.
Chidambaram, however, declined to answer queries on possible terror attacks on the eve of the first anniversary of Mumbai attacks.
“If there are any targets I will not tell you in public,” he shot back when asked if the intelligence agencies received any inputs on the possible terror targets.
“Don’t create alarm. Security forces are vigilant and perfectly capable of thwarting any attack. There is no reason to raise any alarm,” he said.
On Indian Mujahideen, he said it was some kind of virtual organisation.
“Lots of people and lot of groups claim that they belong to Indian Mujahideen. We have arrested a number of people who claim to operate under the name of Indian Mujahideen whenever there was evidence. We will continue to apprehend anyone who does violent act in the name of Indian Mujahideen,” he said.
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- US charges four Pakistanis as co-conspirators in 2008 Mumbai terror attacks - Apr 26, 2011
- Headley was caught with a map of Copenhagen: FBI - Jun 02, 2011
- Headley, Rana to admit plotting Mumbai attack at ISI's behest (Lead) - Apr 12, 2011
- Probe on to find Headley's role in 26/11: Chidambaram - Nov 14, 2009
- Headley may discuss Pakistan's role in Mumbai terror trial (Lead) - May 23, 2011
- Mumbai terror trial begins in Chicago court (Second Lead) - May 16, 2011
- NIA to finalise charges against Rana after US trial - May 16, 2011
- Ahmedabad steps up hotel security, fearing terror strike - Nov 14, 2009
- India monitoring Rana trial for ISI terror links (Lead) - May 16, 2011
- NIA registers case against Headley and Rana - Nov 12, 2009
- India registers case against American LeT suspect Headley - Nov 12, 2009
- NIA charges against Headley, Pakistani terrorists soon - Dec 05, 2011
- Jury chosen in Chicago trial of terror suspect Rana - May 19, 2011
- Home ministry gives nod to charges against Headley (Lead) - Dec 21, 2011
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