Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Pakistan's ISI hires Mafia to kill arrested terrorist

India Today
Mumbai, February 10, 2009


Security was beefed up inside and around the Arthur Road jail in south-central Mumbai Tuesday following a threat perception to the life of captured terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab, police sources said.

The move came after central intelligence agencies indicated a threat to Kasab's life from some mafia dons based in Pakistan, the well-placed police sources said.

The central agencies had recently intercepted a message which alerted them to the possibility of an attempt on Kasab, they said.

A senior crime branch official confirmed that police had been getting "intelligence inputs suggesting a threat to Kasab's life since the day he was arrested" but declined to elaborate on the issue.

He assured that despite the threats, Kasab is "safe and secure".

The sources said that Chhota Shakeel, an associate of mafia don Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar, said to be hiding in Pakistan, had taken a contract to eliminate Kasab.

Altough it is not clear which forces or groups want Kasab eliminated, the role of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is not ruled out, the sources said.

Chhota Shakeel is reportedly organising a dozen-strong team of crack shooters to undertake a 'suicide mission' and attempt to kill Kasab.

In addition, police have learnt that different cases have been filed or are in the process of being lodged against Kasab in at least 11 countries; some of them plan to seek his extradition from India.

Among the countries are those whose nationals were among the 26 foreigners killed in the November 26, 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. These countries may want Kasab to face trial.

Kasab was the only terrorist captured alive while his nine associates were killed in the 60-hour anti-terrorist operation by combined security forces.

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How the LeT plans to kill Kasab

Vicky Nanjappa
February 11, 2009
Rediff

Chota Shakeel, a close associate of Dawood Ibrahim, has been given the responsibility of killing Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist arrested during the terror attack on Mumbai, according to Intelligence Bureau sources.

Earlier in the day, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Rakesh Maria had told the media, "We have received intelligence inputs stating that Kasab's life may be under threat from the underworld".

IB sources have revealed that the Lashkar-e-Tayiba has asked Shakeel, a close associate of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, to kill Kasab. Shakeel is currently hiding in Pakistan, said IB officials, under the patronage of the Inter Services Intelligence and the LeT.

The IB learnt of the LeT's plans concerning Kasab after it intercepted a telephone call from across the border. The call, made by a Lashkar operative, indicated that Kasab's murder was being planned by the LeT in Pakistan.

The IB also learnt that the contract for Kasab's murder had been handed over to Dawood Ibrahim's gang, which continues to operate in Mumbai, on the instructions of the underworld don, who is also hiding in Pakistan.

Police officials believe that Shakeel will use the local module of his gang in Mumbai to gain access to Kasab, who has been kept in an undisclosed location.

Kasab, who hails from Faridkot in Pakistan, is the most vital proof that India possesses about the terror attack originating from its neighboring country. His death would be an irreparable setback for India's fight against terror.

The IB has now advised the Mumbai police to beef up Kasab's security arrangements and monitor him round the clock.

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