http://counterterrorismblog.org/2009/11/transnational_terror_lashkar-e.php
“Transnational Terror: Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Chicago Plot”
By Animesh Roul
(November 6, 2009)
SNIPPET: “Three names have been doing the rounds in India these days: Maulana Ilyas Kashmiri, David Coleman Headley (a.k.a Dauod Geelani) and Tahawur Hussein Rana; one hard core veteran Jehadi and two motivated ‘would be’ terrorists. They are in the news for plotting major assaults in India. Among them, Ilyas Kashmiri who was rumored to be dead early this year, in fact survived three drone attacks in Pakistan’s Waziristan region, belongs to the Al Qaeda- Harkat-Ul- Jihad- Al-Islami (HuJI) lineage and heads the Qaeda’s deadly 311 brigade. He still carries a head money of US $ 600,000 dollars. His name resurfaced when a report was published in the Asia Times last month. The semi-biographical report titled, “Al-Qaeda’s guerrilla chief lays out strategy” was written by Syed Saleem Shahzad of Pakistan who interviewed Ilyas Kashmiri about his future terror plans at his den and on his invitation.
In early September 2009, Pakistani officials and Western intelligence agencies believed that Ilyas Kashmir, Al Qaeda/HuJI operations chief in Pakistan and another close aide of Bin Laden, a Uzbek terrorist commander identified as Nazimuddin Zalalov (a.ka. Yahyo) have been killed in missile attacks in Turrikhel area of North Waziristan.
The other two names, Headly and Rana came as a bit of surprise to many in India and in the US. But their plan made one thing clear about the intention and capability of terrorist outfits (like LeT, Al Qaeda and JeM) that have transnational reach and global Jihadi agenda. These two men are part of a Lashkar-e-Taiba plot to attack major landmarks in India and Denmark. The US investigating agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have so far neutralized what is now dubbed as LeT’s ‘Chicago Terror Plot’. Headley was arrested early in October 2009 by the Joint Terrorism Task Force at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. He was reportedly planning to travel to Pakistan in near future to meet Ilyas Kashmiri and other terrorist leaders. His accomplice and co plotter Rana was arrested from Chicago later in that month.”
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Headley-was-in-India-on-recce/articleshow/5208195.cms
“‘Headley was in India on recce’”
Vishwa Mohan, TNN 8 November 2009, 05:12am IST
NEW DELHI: W
SNIPPET: “Significantly, it suggests that Headley might have visited Mumbai or a city closer to it for a recce, more than once. The email Headley sent to Lashkar leaders seeking clarity on his assignment suggest this: ‘‘The visit to Rahul’s place, for checking out real estate property like before or something different and if so tell me what you can please. Also is it exactly in the same Rahul’s city or a different one?’’ Headley asks the Lashkar terrorist who was drawing the plan to attack India on July 10.
Rahul has been identified as a prominent film actor who was on Lashkar hit list, who lives in Mumbai like all other members of the Bollywood fraternity. The 46-page document also suggests that the capital’s National Defence College was included among targets for Headley’s terror mission.
The reply that Headley received the same day suggests that the original, rather the main, target was supposed to be a city close to Mumbai. ‘‘There are some investment plans with me, not exactly at Rahul’s city but near that. Rest we can decide when we meet according to your ease,’’ wrote the Pakistan-based Lashkar leader.
‘Investment’ is, quite clearly, a code for an attack. The terrorists had identified five targets, including the Defence College, which was suggested by Headley himself.
Analysis of the FBI affidavit suggests that the US-based Lashkar operative was present in Pakistan from August to December in 2008, and that he left on December 7 — 10 days after terrorists surveyed Mumbai. His location during the period was traced to Karachi and Lahore.”