‘More disclosures on Rana-Headley terror plans likely’
December 15th, 2009 - 8:04 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Dec 15 (IANS) Investigators probing terror suspects David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana’s movements believe there will be more revelations in the coming days following disclosures by the FBI that the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) had also targeted the Somnath temple in Gujarat, certain Bollywood stars and Shiv Sena leaders in Mumbai.
The three possible targets were revealed for the first time by the FBI in a footnote to the fresh evidence and charge sheet submitted by it against Pakistani-Canadian Rana, whose bail plea hearing is scheduled for Tuesday in a Chicago court.
“There will be more exposes. The FBI has revealed this in a footnote to their 10-page fresh affidavit and obviously they (FBI) have been successful in gleaning out information,” said intelligence sources.
“Let us wait for some more days.”
During a conversation Sep 7, 2009 between Rana and Headley, the two discussed four targets - Somnath temple and Denmark, Bollywood and Shiv Sena and also the Indian National Defence College in New Delhi, according to papers filed by prosecutors.
The LeT was planning to carry out strikes with the help of Rana and Headley, Chicago-based residents of Pakistani origin, the FBI has said.
India will seek access for the interrogation and extradition of Headley after the National Investigation Agency completes its probe into the duo’s links with the 26/11 terror attack that left 166 people dead and 244 injured.
Home Secretary G.K. Pillai is already on record stating that the NIA will continue its efforts to seek access for interrogation and extradition of Headley.
The FBI has charge sheeted Headley for conducting “extensive surveillance of targets in Mumbai for more than two years” preceding the 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai.
Headley figured in the Rajya Sabha Tuesday with the Communist Party of India-Marxist demanding the government clarify how he had been able to travel in India almost at will.
“There are reports that Headley was an undercover American. Did the US inform us about this? Were our intelligence agencies aware of this,” CPI-M member Brinda Karat asked while raising the issue during zero hour in the Rajya Sabha.
“Why have Indian investigators been denied access to Headley when the US was given access to Ajmal Amir Kasab (the lone Pakistani gunman captured alive during the Nov 26-29, 2008, Mumbai attacks),” she wondered.
“Was this because this would expose the Frankenstein underbelly of the US intelligence agencies,” she asked.
- Headley, ISI handlers hatched a plot to assassinate Bal Thackeray (Second Lead) - May 25, 2011
- 26/11: NIA files charges against Headley, eight others (Lead) - Dec 24, 2011
- 'Headley told LeT of landing sites for Mumbai attack' - May 24, 2011
- Headley identified Somnath temple, Bollywood as targets (Second Lead) - May 26, 2011
- Headley, Rana were in direct touch with ISI handlers (Lead) - May 24, 2011
- NIA to finalise charges against Rana after US trial - May 16, 2011
- Rana trial jury yet to reach verdict - Jun 09, 2011
- Home ministry gives nod to charges against Headley (Lead) - Dec 21, 2011
- India to seek extradition of 26/11 accused from US, Pakistan - Jan 30, 2012
- Closing arguments Tuesday in Mumbai terror trial (Lead) - Jun 07, 2011
- ISI handler sought progress report on Mumbai terror plot - Jun 02, 2011
- Rana trial may expose Pakistan's double game - May 23, 2011
- NIA charges against Headley, Pakistani terrorists soon - Dec 05, 2011
- Jury begins deliberations in Rana trial - Jun 08, 2011
- Rana acquitted for Mumbai, India disappointed (Intro Roundup) - Jun 10, 2011
Tags: bail plea, bollywood stars, communist party of india, communist party of india marxist, david coleman, extradition, footnote, home secretary, hussain, intelligence sources, interrogation, investigation agency, lashkar e taiba, national defence college, national investigation, pakistani origin, pillai, rajya sabha, somnath temple, terror attack