US promises access to Headley, Rana

India will soon send a team to the United States to gather information about the activities of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative David Coleman Headley and his accomplice Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who are accused of assisting 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. HT reports.

India will soon send a team to the United States to gather information about the activities of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative David Coleman Headley and his accomplice Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who are accused of assisting 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.

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Government sources said the decision was taken at home secretary RK Singh's meeting with US deputy secretary for homeland security Jane Holl Lute.

During the Indo-US homeland security dialogue, the American official conveyed to Singh that the US would share more information about Headley and Rana, their activities in India during their multiple visits and their statements before a Chicago court.

India hopes that the team would be able to get more information about Headley's links with Pakistan's government machinery and militant groups working against India.

A US court had acquitted Rana of the charges of plotting the 2008 Mumbai attacks, but held him guilty of supporting Pakistan-based terror group LeT and planning a strike in Denmark.

It is, however, not clear if the National Investigation Agency team would be able to meet Rana - in light of his acquittal - or Headley's wife, in US.

"Rana provided material support to terrorists for attacks in India. There is no dispute that there was a conspiracy to bomb and kill in India. It is crystal clear that Headley along with Sajid Mir and Pasha (or Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed (a retired major from the Pakistani Army) planned and executed the Mumbai terror attacks."