Key Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operative and 11/7 co-plotter Raheel Shaikh may have sneaked out of the country in January 2006, almost six months ahead of the terror bombings on Mumbai’s suburban trains.

Raheel needed to be traced as he operates on a global scale and may have “stakes” in other recent terror plots in the country as well as the botched UK terror strikes, said a senior Intelligence official.

A resident of Kondhwa in Pune, Raheel is the brother of Muzammil Shaikh and Faizal Shaikh. While Muzammil’s links with Bangalore brothers, Kafeel and Sabeel — suspected to be behind the Glasgow bombings — are now being explored, Faizal is LeT’s operations in-charge for western India, who received foreign funds (Saudi Riyals) through Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) both before and after the blasts.

Sources told DNA that Raheel went to Pakistan occupied Kashmir’s (PoK) Bhawalpur camp with Faizal for terrorist training sometime around 2003. However Indian security agencies are not fully aware of the “contacts” the duo made during their stint in the camp. 

“At Bhawalpur camp he may have came across Azaam Cheema, the LeT anti-India operations chief who drew up the 11/7 attacks blueprint,” said a senior police officer connected to the 11/7 probe. 

Security officials also said on Thursday that they had no information about the “recent chemistry” between Cheema and Raheel. Both are believed to have played pivotal roles in drawing-up the commuter trains blasts blueprint. According to the Intelligence Bureau, Raheel knew Rizwan Dawre, who routed Saudi riyals to bankroll the terror attacks. 

“At this stage there is no solid evidence to suggest any direct link between Raheel, Cheema and Muzammil with Kafeel,” said a senior ATS official. A source said Raheel’s wife is likely to be with him. She is, however, not wanted in connection with the case.