By IANS,
New Delhi : The FBI o the US has sought the Indian government’s permission to question two alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives who have been interrogated by Mumbai Police for the terror attacks in the city, intelligence sources said.
The police say Fahim Arshad Ansari and Sabbauddin had reconnoitred the 10 facilities attacked during the Nov 26-29, 2008, mayhem that killed more than 170 people, including 26 foreigners, and left over 300 injured.
“The request has come through proper channels. It is being processed and permission will be given in a day or two,” the sources said.
“Under the US law, the FBI is mandated to investigate any attacks against American citizens anywhere in the world. And, since six US nationals died in the Mumbai attacks, it is but natural that the FBI should want to question anyone involved in that incident,” the sources added.
The Uttar Pradesh police had arrested Ansari and Sabbauddin in February and April respectively last year for their alleged involvement in the bombing of a Central Reserve Police Force camp at Rampur in the state.
Sabbauddin is also said to be involved in the 2005 terror attack at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore.
Their names came up during the interrogation of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist captured during the Mumbai assaults.
The FBI questioned Kasab for over nine hours soon after the Mumbai attackers were neutralised in an operation that lasted for over 60 hours.
Kasab’s nine fellow terrorists were killed during the operation.