CBI Links Sep 11 And Kolkata Attack, Gives Proof To FBI

CBI Links Sep 11 And Kolkata Attack, Gives Proof To FBI

http://s3.amazonaws.com/911timeline/2002/pti012202.html

The Press Trust of India
January 22, 2002

Linking Tuesday's shootout at American Centre in eastern Indian metropolis, Kolkata, with September 11 US strikes, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed FBI that the ransom money taken by Dubai underworld don Aftab Ansari to release a Kolkata shoe baron was used to finance Mohammed Atta, leader of the hijackers who rammed planes into buildings in Washington and New York.

CBI Director P C Sharma told visiting FBI Chief Robert S Mueller that Ansari, who claimed responsibility for Tuesday's attack, had taken a ransom of Rs 37.5 million to free shoe baron Parthapratim Roy Burman through hawala channels to Dubai, CBI sources said.

Out of this amount, Omar Sheikh, one of the three militants released by India for the safety of hostages on board the hijacked Indian Airlines plane in Kandahar, had sent 100,000 US Dollars to Atta through telegraphic transfer, CBI sources said. Sheikh, a British national, was an important leader of Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islamia (HuJI).

The sources said Ansari had been directed by Sheikh in August last year to establish a network to have covert operations launched through Bangladesh besides carrying out kidnappings to secure release of some hardcore militants from jails.

Ansari was cultivated by Pakistan's ISI in early 2000 for supporting covert operations in India, sources said, adding, shootout was a clear indication that some Pakistan-supported groups were targeting India through third countries.

It brought to light continued used of criminal and fundamentalist groups by Pakistan for perpetrating terrorism, they said.

Aftab Ansari alias Aftab Ahmed alias Farhan Malik was based in Dubai. An FIR number 73/99 under Section 365 (kidnapping) of Indian Penal Code has been registered against Ansari by Varanasi police.

Interestingly, the Kolkata police found a link between the shoe baron kidnapping case and Tuesday's attack after its CID wing received a phone call from Dubai from Ansari and the ISD call number had "originated from Dubai".

Sharma, during his 30-minute meeting with Mueller, also handed over a list of 22 terrorists, criminals and economic offenders believed to be in the United States.

CBI has secured a Red Corner Notice against these people.

The two chiefs also expressed desire to extend mutual co-operation with each other directly.

Copyright 2002 The Press Trust of India