Author: Stavan Desai
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: May 18, 2006
Introduction: Investigators say prime suspect
Zaby was in e-mail contact with Lashkar commanders
Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) officials suspect
that the consignment of arms and RDX seized from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives
in Aurangabad and Malegaon last week came from Hyderabad. They also said that
they now know ''precisely where the consignment had first landed in Maharashtra
and where it was to be stocked''.
Sources in the ATS said the interrogation
of Bilal Ahmed Ansari, an Aurgangabad resident and activist of the banned
Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), has revealed a clearer picture
of the conspiracy behind the transporting and storing of the arms and RDX
and the role of LeT operative Zahibuddin Ansari alias Zaby in it.
''After it probably came from Hyderabad, the
consignment was dumped at Pimpri-Chinwad in mid-April,'' said an ATS official.
''According to Bilal, Zaby has strong contacts in Hyderabad.''
The consignment included 43 kg of RDX, 16
AK-47 assault rifles, 50 hand grenades, 3,000 AK bullets and 80 magazines.
ATS officials are also trying to find out
the e-mail addresses used by Zaby. Officials said that investigations have
revealed that he used to be in contact with top Lashkar commanders through
e-mail. ''Once we get his e-mail address and crack it, it will provide further
leads,'' the officer said.
On other links in the supply chain, officials
ruled out any role of the LTTE, but suspect the involvement of Bangladesh
and Kashmir-based smaller terror groups operated and backed by the LeT.
''Fencing of the Jammu and Kashmir border
and intensified vigil there has resulted in the Lashkar using other routes
for supplying arms to splinter groups,'' said a senior ATS officer.
Investigations have already revealed that
Zaby had been to Kashmir about six months ago and had held a meeting with
some of the top LeT commanders.
Meanwhile, two teams of the ATS are camping
at Aurangabad to verify the leads provided by Bilal.
Sources said that Bilal confessed to having
been in the know about dumping of the arms and explosives near Pimpri-Chinchwad
and involvement of Zaby in arranging transportation of the consignment to
Aurangabad.
''He also revealed that the part of consignment
recovered from near Ankai Fort at Manmad in Nashik district was dumped by
the other accused after Zaby abandoned the car while fleeing Aurangabad,''
said an ATS officer involved in the investigations.
''We are investigating the South India angle
and are co-ordinating with other agencies,'' he added.
stavan.desai@expressindia.com
