Headley gives details of Pak handlers

Lashkar-e-Toiba operative and 26/11 attack accused David Coleman Headley has told his Indian interrogators about his handlers...

Lashkar-e-Toiba operative and 26/11 attack accused David Coleman Headley has told his Indian interrogators about his handlers,including terror suspects Sajjid Mir,Syed Abdur Rehman Syed,intelligence agents Major Iqbal and Major Sameer Ali.

He has also talked about the involvement of Mohammed Illyas Kashmiri in planning the Mumbai attacks and the larger Lashkar aim to target India.

Top government sources said Headley has given National Investigation Agency (NIA) interrogators,led by 1985-batch Kerala cadre IG-rank officer Lokanath Behera,considerable insight into Lashkar operations in India and the specific planning of the Mumbai attacks.

Headley shared details after he was assured that his revelations would not be used against him. Contrary to reports,Headley has been cooperating with Indian investigators and is coming out with detailed insights into the terror network in Pakistan, said a senior official.

Sources said Headley was questioned in the presence of FBI agents and his lawyers by three NIA investigators and a lawyer on June 1 and 2 in Chicago. After setting the ground rules,the Indian team was left alone from June 3. The team has got considerable information from Headley about his visits to India during 2006-2009 and his surveillance of targets,including those attacked during 26/11 and the Chabad houses.

The Indian team plans to complete his questioning on June 9 and return to New Delhi after briefing Indian Ambassador to US Meera Shanker. Sources said Headley has been questioned about the roles of LeT founder Hafiz Saeed,Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi,Yusuf Muzammil and other operational commanders.