Interrogation so far has divulged vital information that could lead to corroboration of known facts in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case.
Scotching rumours of delay in access, a senior government official in New Delhi said on Wednesday the four-member national investigating team (NIA) visiting the US was already in the midst of questioning Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative David Coleman Headley.
Interrogation so far has divulged vital information that could lead to corroboration of known facts in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case.
“Three kinds of evidences are likely to emerge from Headley’s interrogation — some new facets, certain things that would confirm existing information about the case and something that may have futuristic significance,” the official said.
There were indications Headley has reportedly spoken about his Pakistan links that include his ISI and LeT handlers. But what is significant is the revelation about his Indian contacts that he possibly used to plan the terror attack.
Refusing to divulge details, the source said such an admission by Headley would be of utmost importance as it would make the picture clear. “We already know about his Pakistan links. But knowing his Indian links is more important for unraveling the mystery of the 26/11 attack,” he said.
Another matter of interest from the Indian point of view is whether Headley reveals more than what he has already shared with FBI.
Ruling out the possibility of confusion in the investigation process due to the language barrier between the LeT operative and the NIA team, the source said arrangements had been made by the US authorities both in terms of human and technical means, so that there are no glitches. “There is no chance of confusion,” he said.
The team, which is led by senior police officer Loknath Behera and includes special prosecutor D Krishan, has been interrogating Headley across the table. The focus is on getting information about his role in the Mumbai attack, the wider conspiracy behind it and the likely involvement of locals in its execution.
Home ministry mandarins are hopeful the team would return with valuable information, but are keeping their fingers crossed.
“Behera is a competent officer. But we lack expertise in this field [interrogating terrorists such as Headley],” the official said.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}