Sources added that both Tahawwur Rana and Headley had strong links with Indian Mujahideen’s top brass, including Saddiq, who is currently in the custody of Mumbai police for his alleged involvement in the 2006 Mumbai serial train blasts. Sources said that both Riyaz and Iqbal Bhatkal are absconding and are believed to be hiding in Pakistan. Investigations conducted by the Mumbai police have also revealed the Indian Mujahideen’s link is traced back to top LeT commanders in India and Pakistan.

Fahim Ansari was a prized catch of the Mumbai police and was arrested from Rampur, UP on the February 10, 2008. Ansari is accused of facilitating the 26/11 terror attack and is said to have been in touch with perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks. Detailed maps of the city recovered from this LeT operative, revealed that Ansari conducted recce of areas in Mumbai prior to the attacks.

Meanwhile, Riyaz and Iqbal are accused for the Ahmedabad, New Delhi and Jaipur serial blasts of 2008. Riyaz is reportedly said to have co-founded the Indian Mujahideen.

Sources within the Mumbai police also revealed that both Headley and Rana came to the city during 2007-09 on several occasions. Sources added that Headley posed as a Jew and tried to befriend Jews in the city. He is also said to have done a recce of Jews installations in Mumbai. This bit of information is been seen as a breakthrough in the 26/11 case, after the Jewish Chabad House in Colaba was attacked by two terrorists during the dastardly terror strike, which killed over 160 people.

Incidentally, when Headley was arrested, the FBI recovered from him a copy of a book — How To Pray Like a Jew — indicating the level of preparation he undertook while visiting his targets. Headley might have carried this book even when he was in Mumbai for a recce of Chabad House.

The FBI has been trying to find out whether Headley and his accomplice Rana, also arrested in the US, were involved in the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai and whether handlers of the duo and attackers of Mumbai were same. “The process of verification on his (Headley) visit to India between 2006-09 was on and we will be able to give a clear picture only after a week,” an official said.

During his stay in Mumbai, Headley used to reside at various places. During his last visit, he had stayed in a hotel in south Mumbai near CST. Mumbai Police had already approached the hotel seeking information like his entries in the register and on the people who used to frequent him during his stay.

The 49-year-old Headley was arrested last month at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport as he prepared to board a flight to Philadelphia, intending to travel to Pakistan. FBI also arrested Tahawwur Hussain Rana, 48, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, for his alleged involvement in terror activities.

1. Headley surveyed all 26/11 targets
2. Did Bhatt’s son know LeT agent Headley?
3. Top Pak diplomat knew LeT plotter Headley