In a "major breakthrough" in its probe into the Mumbai terror attacks, Pakistan has arrested a key suspect with links to the outlawed Lashkar-Tayiba for allegedly facilitating the 26/11 strikes.
The Special Investigation Unit of the Federal Investigation Agency, which is spearheading Pakistans probe into the Mumbai incident, arrested Jamil Ahmed on Wednesday on the basis of information provided by other suspects. Sources in the FIA described Ahmed, a resident of Battagram in the unruly North West Frontier Province, as an "important suspect allegedly linked with" the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, the Daily Times newspaper reported. Ahmed was arrested following the interrogation of five LeT operatives, operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Abu Al-Qama, Zarar Shah, Shahid Jamil Riaz and Hamad Amin Sadiq arrested earlier by the FIA. These five men are being tried by an anti-terror court in connection with the Mumbai attacks. "The suspects revealed the name of another suspect, Jamil Ahmed, of Battagram during interrogation. Ahmed also allegedly facilitated the acts of terrorism in Mumbai on November 26," a source was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
Sources said SIU personnel arrested Ahmed near his house. He is being interrogated. The sources termed Ahmeds arrest as a "major breakthrough" in their investigation as it could lead the SIU to other suspects. Pakistani authorities are also looking for 13 other suspects for facilitating the Mumbai attacks. Most of these men are crew members of the two boats used by the 10 terrorists who attacked the Indian financial hub.
