FBI questions Fahim Ansari and Sabbauddin in 26/11 terror case

New Delhi, Feb 22 (PTI) As officials of the FBI wind up
the probe into the 26/11 strikes, the US agency has questioned
Fahim Arshad Ansari, arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police last
year, and confronted him with the lone surviving terrorist of
Mumbai attacks, Mohammed Ajmal Amir Iman Kasab.

The FBI agents, accompanied by central security
agencies, quizzed Ansari and another Lashker militant
Sabbauddin for several hours before winding up their Indian
chapter of investigations and planning their next stage of
probe in Pakistan, official sources said.

The FBI had made the request through proper channels for
questioning Ansari and Sabbauddin, militants of banned
Lashker-e-Taiba, who were brought to Mumbai in December last
year as a follow up to the probe into the 26/11 attacks, the
sources said.

During the questioning, 35-year-old Ansari, a resident
of Navi Mumbai, allegedly told his interrogators about his
training in Pakistan, including the 21-day 'Daura Aam'
(ordinary tour) basic combat course which was followed by a
rigorous three-month advanced 'Daura Khaas' (special tour) and
later by 'Daura-e-Ribat' (intelligence course).

Ansari was also believed to have been identified by Kasab
as the person who had been tasked by Lashker operative
Muzzamil, a Pakistani national wanted in connection with
26/11, of providing details of important places in Mumbai, the
sources said, adding that the two were confronted during the
questioning.

Ansari reportedly told his interrogators that Muzammil
showed him Google Earth satellite maps of Mumbai and asked him
to investigate the perimeter security at key locations,
including government buildings, office of the Director General
of Police, Bombay Stock Exchange, airports, office of Reliance
Energy, Haji Ali shrine and Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels.

The interrogators were also reportedly told by Ansari
that he had learned guerrilla warfare techniques as well as
use of maps, compasses and global positioning systems.

Giving details about his return from Pakistan after the
training, Ansari said he was provided a fake Indian driving
license and a Pakistani passport and he returned to India via
Nepal.

Ansari had also allegedly said after registering himself
as a computer student in one of the institutes near the Mumbai
Stock Exchange, he used to spend time photographing and
mapping the targets he had been shown, among them, the
Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus and the Taj Mahal Hotel.

On whether he had any links with global terrorist Osama
bin Laden, Ansari had reportedly said he was only an ardent
follower and had grown a beard like the global terrorist.
"After joining my job in Dubai, I also used to discuss
about Jehadi activities and appreciate the actions of Osama.
My co-workers called me as Osama as I was keeping a beard like
him," the militant had told his earlier interrogators when he
was arrested in Uttar Pradesh.

The FBI has already questioned Mohammad Ajmal Amir Iman
Kasab, the lone Lashker-e-Taiba militant involved in the
November 26 terror strikes, for over nine hours recently to
ascertain about his role and handlers in Pakistan. PTI SKL
RKM
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