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Headley relatives knew 26/11 plans, says NIA
NEW DELHI, Mar 17, 2010 (Hindustan Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
The National Investigation Agency's probe into the 26/11 attacks has revealed that Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT) operative David Coleman Headley's close relatives in the US had prior knowledge of his terror plans.
The NIA, which tracked down some of Headley's email accounts and communications with his relatives, has now sought US government's permission to question his relatives. "Headley had indicated to some of his close relatives in the US and Pakistan about all what he was planning to do," said a senior NIA official.
"We have shared the evidence with US authorities and requested them to allow us question these persons. The NIA is keen to question at least one of them who seemed to be clearly in know of the plans. We, however, can't reveal their identities," the official said.
Earlier, the US had declined India's request to question Headley. Headley, a US citizen whose original name was Daoud Gilani, was arrested by Federal Bureau of Investigation in October last year on charges of planning the Mumbai attacks in close coordination with his Pakistan-based handlers.
After arresting Headley, US authorities had visited India and shared the contents of the emails and the probe report with their Indian counterparts.
The NIA official said the agency not only managed to track down many of his email addresses, but also dug out more evidence than the US authorities could. Pakistan's former and serving Army officers, including Major Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed (retd) and Major Sameer Ali were also found to be behind the Mumbai attacks. "Their communications... show that Headley was closely in touch with them before the attacks," the official said.
To see more of the Hindustan Times or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to
http://www.hindustantimes.com. Copyright (c) 2010, Hindustan Times, New Delhi
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