Headley's golf class comes under lens; NIA quizzes socialites

Mumbai, Jan 10 (PTI) Investigators have found out about
US terror suspect David Headley's frequent visits to a golf
course here which is often visited by western diplomats and
socialites, with whom he had struck a rapport.
According to sources privy to the investigations, the
49-year-old American national, arrested from Chicago airport
and currently in FBI custody, spent considerable time at the
Golf course and the National Investigation Agency is now
recording the statement of witnesses.
Some of the witnesses told investigators that Headley had
long chats in the club with western diplomats and the
"friendship" started with learning basics of golf. He had
purchased a golf kit ostensibly to pick up the elite sport
but authorities now believe this was perhaps a cover to get to
know diplomats and business personalities who frequented the
club, the sources said.
A well known socialite of the city was also undergoing
questioning for several hours by the NIA to find out more
about how Headley, known as Daood Gilani till he changed name
in 2006 to avoid any suspicion, was successful in getting
friendly with some diplomats, the sources said.
The probe agency is working on filing the chargesheet
against Headley and his close associate Tawahhur Rana by the
month end.
Pictures of him with some western diplomats surprised the
investigators as they feared that these envoys may have
compromised with some security issues inadvertently to
Headley, who has been linked by the FBI with Pakistan-based
terror outfit Lashker-e-Taiba, the sources said.
They said that some of these contacts established in the
club had helped Headley in doing a recce of some of the
locations in Mumbai ahead of the 26/11 terror strikes in 2008.
Details of Headley's movement in this metropolis prior to
the 26/11 attack came on the back of evidence that the US
national had stayed at Taj and Oberoi here-- the two targeted
luxury hotels -- and also entered Nariman House, the Jewish
Centre, which was attacked by Lashker militants on 26/11.
NIA's is likely to charge Headley and Rana with allegedly
waging war against the country, the sources said.
The agency registered a case against the two, arrested by
FBI in October on the charge of allegedly plotting terror
attacks in India, under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
and for conspiring to wage war against the country.
Once the chargesheet is filed against them, Indian
security agencies are likely to press the US for access to
Headley and Rana for interrogation and subsequent extradition,
they said. PTI SKL
ANU