Jundal's interrogation exposes role of other operatives; Huji man to be probed

Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal's extensive stay in Pakistan and his knowledge of wanted Indian operatives like the Bhatkal brothers and Amir Raza Khan, the founder members of Indian Mujahideen, has made him a prized possession for agencies who are trying to work out Lashkar-e-Taiba's (LeT) complex network across the country, said police sources. Presley Thomas reports.

Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal's extensive stay in Pakistan and his knowledge of wanted Indian operatives like the Bhatkal brothers and Amir Raza Khan, the founder members of Indian Mujahideen, has made him a prized possession for agencies who are trying to work out Lashkar-e-Taiba's (LeT) complex network across the country, said police sources.

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The interrogation of the Indian LeT handler in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks has now forced agencies to revisit old Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (Huji) and LeT operatives who have been in Indian custody.

Agencies have now narrowed down to Sheikh Abdul Khwaja alias Amjad, a Huji/ LeT operative whom the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) had picked up from Sri Lanka in January 2010.

The Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad (ATS) could be among the key agencies likely to question Khwaja.

A resident of Afzalnagar in Hyderabad, Khwaja had a similar initiation into the ranks of LeT as Jundal did, police sources said.

Apart from Pakistan, agencies may also unravel the LeT's links in Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, countries which both Jundal and Khwaja have visited, and have common links too, added police sources.

Khwaja's initial interrogation report, which Hindustan Times accessed, names two Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) officers Colonel Mohamed and Colonel Ahmed as key handlers of the LeT's Indian cadre.

Against this background, further interrogation is important as he had previously told his investigators that he met Jundal and Jundal's associates Zulfikar Fayaz Kagzi, Azhar and Nasir under the tutelage of wanted LeT commander Muzzamil Bhat alias Yusuf, said police sources.

Bhat, chief of LeT's India operations, is among the key terrorist commanders who were present in the control room at Karachi during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.