Major Iqbal inquired Rana about progress on Mumbai terror plot: FBI

Major Iqbal, believed to be an ISI officer, had asked Pakistan-born Canadian Tahawwur Hussain Rana about the progress made on the Mumbai terror plot, FBI testified before a court here, in another pointer to the involvement of Pakistan's intelligence agency in the attacks.

Iqbal had a telephonic talk with Rana and another co-accused in the Mumbai attacks-- David Coleman Headley, a Pakistani-American, and exchanged e-mails with them, five FBI agents testified during Rana's trial in the court hearing the 26/11 case. In an e-mail of July 7, 2008, Iqbal asked Rana if there was any "progress made on the project". Prosecutors said he was seeking an update on the preparations for the 26/11 attacks.

Defence attorneys, however, argued that any discussion Iqbal had with Rana was focussed on their plans to work as partners in Rana's immigration business.

In his deposition, Headley, an LeT operative, had said that Iqbal had given money to Rana to open a business office in Mumbai which was used as a cover to zero in on targets for the attacks.

An e-mail sent from a Chaudhery Khan, another name for Major Iqbal, from chaudherykhan@yahoo.com in which he gave his mobile number for future contacts, was shown in the court by prosecutor Sarah Streicker.

Another e-email from tahawwur@yahoo.com in which Rana booked Headley's flight on December 8, 2008, from New York to Chicago with a stop at Atlanta, was also placed before the court.