FBI team to visit Pakistan over Mumbai attacks probe | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

FBI team to visit Pakistan over Mumbai attacks probe

PTI | By, Islamabad
Feb 21, 2009 05:35 PM IST

A seven-member FBI team from the US is expected to visit Pakistan next week to follow-up the findings of the probe conducted by authorities in connection with the Mumbai terror attacks.

A seven-member FBI team from the US is expected to visit Pakistan next week to follow-up the findings of the probe conducted by authorities here in connection with the Mumbai terror attacks.

HT Image
HT Image

The visit by the FBI team has been cleared by the Foreign Office, diplomatic sources said.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The team will interact with Pakistani law enforcement officials to discuss the findings of their probe into the November 26 Mumbai attacks, the sources told PTI.

They said the FBI is also expected to question the six suspects detained by Pakistani authorities in connection with the attacks which left over 180 people dead, including six Americans. These suspects include Lashker-e-Taiba operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, its communication expert Zarar Shah and another member of the group Hamad Amin Sadiq.

Interior ministry chief Rehman Malik had last week said Pakistani authorities had filed formal charges against nine suspects, including Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist captured alive during the attacks. He said six of the eight other suspects had been detained while two are still at large.

Malik had also acknowledged that part of the conspiracy behind the Mumbai incident was hatched on the Pakistani soil.

The FBI has played a key behind-the-scene role in the sharing of information uncovered by Indian and Pakistani investigators. The FBI also has a sizable presence in the US embassy here and it is believed that some of its officials have conducted preliminary inquiries in Pakistan, including in Kasab's village Faridkot in Punjab province.

Islamabad last week handed over to New Delhi the findings of its probe. Pakistan's nine-page response to the Indian dossier included the findings of its investigation and 30 questions seeking further information from New Delhi.

Diplomatic sources said the information provided in the Indian dossier was used by Pakistani security agencies to round up suspects and gather vital evidence. In one case, GPS coordinates and phone numbers provided in the dossier helped Pakistani sleuths locate two houses in Karachi that were used by the attackers and their accomplices.

Both these houses were located after extensive surveillance and in one of them, officials found a dinghy that was used by attackers for training at sea, the sources said.

An anti-terrorism court judge has so far remanded four suspects - Lakhvi, Shah, Sadiq and Abu al Qama - to the custody of Federal Investigation Agency till March 3.

While seeking their remand, police officials and a special public prosecutor told the judge that they were all active LeT member and were involved in the Mumbai attacks, with Lakhvi acting as their commander. All the four men have been charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act, Pakistan Penal Code and Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On