Investigative agencies believe LeT terror suspect David Coleman Headley’s visit to Pune was part of a larger plan to strike at upscale hotels and Jewish centres. They are probing Headley’s stay at Hotel Surya Villa in Koregaon Park in March this year and his visit to the Osho meditation resort in July 2008 and March 2009, as both these spots are located near Chabad House here and Hotel Taj Blue Diamond.

Sources said there could be a link between the recent terror alerts to Chabad House and Headley’s visit. “It is suspected that Headley had visited the Chabad House in Pune posing as a Jew and also conducted a recce to identify targets in the city,” one of them said.

Rachel Kupchik of Chabad House said they don’t maintain a register of visitors. The Pune police had stepped up security outside the Chabad House within a week of the 26/11 strike. Intelligence agencies had also received a threat mail last month, saying LeT is planning to attack Jewish religious places in Pune.