Headley, Rana were eyes, ears for 26/11 attackers

David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana laid the groundwork for last year’s terror strikes on 26/11 in Mumbai. They were the pointmen for the planners and handlers in Pakistan—and this was established by phone calls made by Headley to his contacts in Pakistan before the attacks, said highly-placed home ministry sources on Tuesday.

“Efforts are on to procure the records and transcript of the full conversation that took place between them to establish the link,” they added.

So far the role played by the duo had been more of a question mark. But the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has confirmed that it had found vital clues establishing links between the American Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative Headley and his Canadian accomplice Rana with the larger module that had planned and executed the 26/11 strikes.

While the duo’s role in the terror strikes becomes clearer, the investigating agencies have given a clean chit to Rahul Bhatt, son of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. Rahul was questioned for his self-confessed association with Headley. “Rahul is only a witness and not a suspect. But efforts are on to ascertain if he had unwittingly helped Headley,” sources in the home ministry said.

Planners and handlers of 26/11, added the sources, were in constant touch with Headley and Rana ahead of the strikes. During this time the duo gathered vital information about possible targets and reportedly conducted an extensive survey of the areas and supplied photographs and videos related to the targets to the terrorists.

NIA to question actor Emraan Hashmi
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will now question actor Emraan Hashmi after it was revealed that he had been introduced to David Coleman Headley by Rahul Bhatt.

“All questions must be directed to the NIA,” was all Hashmi told DNA. Sources, however, confirmed that the actor has been contacted by NIA and could not speak further because of the confidentiality bond signed with the agency.  Hashmi’s meeting with Headley, said sources, took place in a Bandra pub in 2008 at the time of the release of the actor’s movie Woh Lamhe. This was reportedly told to the investigators by Bhatt. It is believed that Hashmi stayed in regular touch with Headley. There are a few other film and prominent personalities who are believed to have interacted with Headley. However, the authorities were not willing to divulge any names. Investigations have further revealed that a film actress and a film critic used to meet Headley regularly at the gym in Breach Candy.