In yet another delaying tactic in the 26/11 Mumbai attack case, Pakistan has sent to India 47 questions regarding additional information on Lashkar-e-Tayiba operative David Headley and his activities during his multiple visits to the country.
Responding to the dossiers given by India seeking action against LeT founder Hafiz Saeed and his accomplices for their involvement in the Mumbai attacks, Islamabad last week sent the questions related to Headley's nine trips to India between 2006 and 2009. The note verbale of Pakistan's Interior Ministry to the Home Ministry sought all "credible evidence" that New Delhi claims it has against the masterminds and operatives of the 2008 attack following the interrogation of Headley by a team of the National Investigation Agency in the United States. The 47 questions related to the Pakistani-American's visit details and official versions of people whom he came in contact with while scouting the 26/11 targets, official sources said.
The questions include whether Indian security agencies had information about Headley's visits to India or if he was under surveillance then. Islamabad has sought answers on whom Headley met in India, including details about his meetings with film-maker Mahesh Bhatt's son Rahul Bhatt in Mumbai. "The questionnaire is nothing but a delaying tactic of Pakistan as we have already given all inputs about Headley," sources said. The note seeks personal particulars of Headley such as parentage and his last known whereabouts - information which is known to Pakistani establishment. Home Minister P Chidambaram is believed to have directed Home Ministry officials to answer all questions even though the basic upshot of Headley's interrogation has already been shared by the FBI with Pakistan. The Indian dossiers also contained information on involvement of serving officers of the Pakistan Army in funding Headley's visit to India and identifying possible targets for the terror attack.
Headley had also confirmed to the National Investigation Agency that the ISI was engaged with Lashkar commanders responsible for 26/11 at "each and every stage of the plot", corroborating India's stand about the involvement of Pakistani state actors.
NIA drops plea for warrant against Headley