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22.7.12

‘Project Karachi’ still a threat to India, reveals 26/11 plotter Jundal


NEW DELHI: Arrested top 26/11 plotter Syed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal has provided first-hand evidence of recent vintage that "Project Karachi" — an ISI-backed terror scheme to provide shelter to Indian terror fugitives — continues to present a danger to India.

First revealed by the Pakistani-AmericanLashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) member David Coleman Headley, Indian agencies have been working hard to add to their knowledge about Project Karachi. With Jundal offering direct evidence, gaps are being filled and its fresh initiatives are under the scanner. ......

Sources say that the information yielded by Jundal led Delhi Police to register another criminal case of criminal conspiracy under section 120B of Indian Penal Code about a plot to launch a fresh terror attack.

There are strong inputs and information about another strike being planned in the next one year.

An investigator says, "What Jundal has said has established and confirmed many claims. Now, we are sure that Project Karachi continues to be a danger to India."

Project Karachi was set up by ISI in collaboration with LeT, which makes use of Indian operatives trained in Pakistan to execute bomb blasts in Indian cities.

Sources say that Indian agencies needed someone like Jundal, a high-ranking Indian national in LeT, to reveal details and provide inputs about its latest targets.

Some prominent members of the Indian Mujahideen (IM) — a LeT-supported terror group — believed to be in Pakistan and the names of those who have cropped up in Jundal's interrogation include Riyaz and Iqbal Bhatkal, Aslam Kashmiri, Fayaz Kagzi and Aakif.

The information that Jundal provided his interrogators confirms that Indian nationals are being sheltered by Pakistan and being used against India.

While Jundal claims he was inducted into LeT by J&K commander Aslam Kashmiri, Aakif and Kagzi are residents of Aurangabad.

Jundal has claimed that Kagzi introduced him to Kashmiri. Kagzi is an accused in Pune'sGerman Bakery blast in 2010.

Project Karachi has two functions. To indoctrinate Indian youth into jihad and have them work for LeT, and consequently ISI train and induct them to carry out attacks in the Indian cities.

"The scheme is funded by ISI and Gulf investments," said a source.

The interrogation has also confirmed that the Bhatkal brothers are the link between IM and LeT, which made David Coleman Headley come to India — on several occasions between 2006 and 2008 — to conduct reconnaissance of vulnerable and potential targets.