Author: Devesh K. Pandey
Publication: The Hindu
Date: November 14, 2002
URL: http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2002/11/14/stories/2002111404620100.htm
In response to the notices sent
by the National Human Rights Commission, the special cell of the Delhi
police has submitted a comprehensive report substantiating its claim that
the November 3 Ansal Plaza shoot-out in which two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists
were killed was a genuine encounter.
The report submitted this afternoon
states that the Intelligence agencies had tipped off the special cell about
the presence of two LeT terrorists - Dawood Ali from Kasoor and Ezaz Ahmed
alias Deepak from Gujranwala, in the Punjab province of Pakistan - about
three months ago.
The terrorists were planning to
target busy marketplaces during Deepavali. Police also submitted that two
unsuccessful attempts had been made to nab the terrorists before the encounter.
The report furnished a detailed
account of the encounter, which had earlier been submitted to the Home
Ministry, mentioning that the unit, which was handed over the task of intercepting
the militants, was asked to ensure that there was no civilian casualty
or mass panic.
Following the directions, the special
cell chose the Ansal Plaza underground parking lot - an enclosed area -
to lay a trap.
A senior police officer said the
report mentions the recovery of an AK-56 assault rifle, two Chinese pistols
and ammunition, a matrix code, diaries, cellular phone and a fake identity
card, proving that those gunned down in the encounter were Pakistani and
LeT terrorists.
The second part of the report deals
with the antecedents of Hari Krishna, who claims to have witnessed what
he calls a fake encounter.
The special cell has attached details
of Dr. Krishna's location on the basis of his mobile phone record, proving
that he entered the Ansal Plaza complex almost two-and- half hours after
the encounter took place at 7 p.m. on November 3.
