Meet the LeTs technology chief

The confession of Zarar Shah, a key Lashkar-e-Tayiba [Images] operative, about his involvement in the Mumbai [Images] terror attack has further strengthened India’s case against terror elements operating inside Pakistan territory.

Shah, according to Intelligence Bureau officials, is a key operative in the LeT network and headed the technology wing of the terror organisation.

The IB has also picked up intercepts of the emails sent out by Shah, which indicate that the LeT was planning an attack on INS Virat. He had planned to launch suicide attacks on the warship by using choppers.

While LeT’s second-in-command Muzzamil recruited men to carry out the terror attack and trained them, Shah made arrangements for the SIM cards, satellite phones and the VOIP connections. IB officials believe that Shah had sent out the mails under the pseudonym Deccan Mujahideen, which had claimed responsibility for the Mumbai attacks.

Shah had ensured that the mail was in Hindi, so that investigators would presume that the attacks were planned in India. He reportedly used a Hindi voice recognition software to type the mail. IB sources say that Shah operated out of Lahore [Images], and the mails were sent from there.

Shah’s emails also reveal that he had studied the layout and logistics of the Taj Hotel [Images] and other targets in South Mumbai.

Shah was also in constant touch with IM operatives working on the tech side, according to sources. The LeT had financially assisted the Indian Mujahideen [Images] in setting up a technological network, which was used to launch terror strikes on the Indian soil.

Meet LeTs tech chief

The confession of Zarar Shah, a key Lashkar-e-Tayiba [Images] operative, about his involvement in the Mumbai [Images] terror attack has further strengthened India’s case against terror elements operating inside Pakistan territory.

Shah, according to Intelligence Bureau officials, is a key operative in the LeT network and headed the technology wing of the terror organisation.

The IB has also picked up intercepts of the emails sent out by Shah, which indicate that the LeT was planning an attack on INS Virat. He had planned to launch suicide attacks on the warship by using choppers.

While LeT’s second-in-command Muzzamil recruited men to carry out the terror attack and trained them, Shah made arrangements for the SIM cards, satellite phones and the VOIP connections. IB officials believe that Shah had sent out the mails under the pseudonym Deccan Mujahideen, which had claimed responsibility for the Mumbai attacks.

Shah had ensured that the mail was in Hindi, so that investigators would presume that the attacks were planned in India. He reportedly used a Hindi voice recognition software to type the mail. IB sources say that Shah operated out of Lahore [Images], and the mails were sent from there.

Shah’s emails also reveal that he had studied the layout and logistics of the Taj Hotel [Images] and other targets in South Mumbai.

Shah was also in constant touch with IM operatives working on the tech side, according to sources. The LeT had financially assisted the Indian Mujahideen [Images] in setting up a technological network, which was used to launch terror strikes on the Indian soil.

An eye for an eye would make the world blind

Terrorism has definitely emerged as the most contentious issue of 2008, with India reeling under a relentless wave of terror strikes and Indians seething with anger at the loss of innocent lives and the incompetent government.
Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has been outspoken in condemning both the terror strikes and communal fanaticism, which many feel gives rise to terrorism.

In an interview with Vicky Nanjappa, he spoke about tacking the menace of terrorism though education and persuasion. He also discusses the controversial issue of Malegaon blast accused Lieutenant Colonel Shrikant Purohit attending AoL sessions.

What, according to you, is the solution to the menace of terrorism? If everyone follows the ‘eye for an eye’ principle, what will happen to this country?

I am very concerned about what is happening. ‘An eye for an eye’ is not our culture at all. Yet, we cannot take things lying down. We cannot stop educating people about our values. The message of Indian ethos and spirituality, which emphasise on ahimsa (non-violence) and the truth, will have to be conveyed across the board.

What do you think about Hindu terrorism?

Fringe elements in Hindu society, who think they can avenge terrorism by perpetuating terror themselves, have brought disgrace to Indian culture. Milking political mileage and giving undue publicity to such cases have only strengthened the jihadis. Let our media and politicians know that sensationalising, politicising and giving undue publicity to this case, even before the accused is proven guilty, has proved to be a shot in the arm for jihadis.

Our late Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare [Images] had mentioned that in the last two months, 90 per cent of the time and manpower of the agency had been spent on this case. All this has cost the nation heavily.

Lieutenant Colonel Purohit reportedly attended some Art of Living meetings. Will there be a screening process in the Art of Living courses to ensure that such elements do not attend meetings in the future?

No. In fact, we welcome everybody to the Art of Living. Our mission is to work with fundamentalists and extremists to transform them into loving human beings. People from all backgrounds come here and so do ex-army people. We have programmes for army personnel and many of them visit our ashram to seek blessings. Naxalites [Images], Maoists, jihadis have all attended our programmes.

We don’t discriminate and we don’t ban anybody from attending the AoL sessions. I wish they had come here much earlier and participated in our training programme. Perhaps they came here to find some peace and solace.

What can spiritual gurus do to ensure that terrorism is wiped out? What plans does AoL have in this regard?

Some religions have a dogmatic and untouchable attitude, and that should be removed. For example, what happened to author Taslima Nasreen [Images] is a shame on the democratic and liberal image of the country (Nasreen was forced to leave India after violent protests broke out against her writings in Kolkata). The government should shift its focus from the minority-majority culture and should give multi-cultural, multi-dimensional education to all.

Religious and spiritual institutions need to come together and pledge to work towards protecting our country. We need social leaders who are satya-darshi (truthful), sam-darshi (equanimous), and door-darshi (farsighted). Let us also resolve to first examine the qualifications of those whom we elect. We need to protect our country from those who manipulate issues for their personal gains and lead by playing vote-bank politics.

Art of Living has been conducting various rehabilitation programmes for prisoners and convicts. The results are so positive that one has to witness it to believe it.

Can terrorism be wiped out through the message of peace?

Any action that is undertaken without inner peace only leads to regret. And peace does not mean inaction. One has to use all methodologies to curb terrorism. We have to do it through education and persuasion. Force should be used only when nothing else works.

What is your message to all those practising terrorism?

Meditation and Sudarshan Kriya have transformed the aggression and violence inside people into compassion, love and care.

The IM’s missing brigade

The Indian Mujahideen [Images] has become the face of home-grown terror in India. While some key IM members have been arrested by law enforcement agencies, its leaders continue to evade the security net.
While Mansoor Peerbhoy — who allegedly sent IM’s e-mails ahead of the terror attacks in Delhi and Ahmedabad — has been arrested by the Mumbai [Images] police, Abdul Subhan, Riyaz Bhatkal, Iqbal Bhatkal, Qayamuddin and Shadab Malik are still out there, likely planning their next attack.

Intelligence Bureau officials told rediff.com that these men matter most if the investigations into this year’s terror attacks have to progress. Terror groups work on a need-to-know basis and hence, it is almost impossible to elicit complete information about the terror operation from the foot soldiers who have been arrested so far.

Abdul Subhan, for instance, could provide important leads into the IM’s operations, even about any role the organisation may have played in the Mumbai attacks, IB sources say.

The IB suspects Subhan may have slipped into Pakistan.

Another big catch would be Riyaz Bhatkal, who took charge of the IM’s financing at the Lashkar-e-Tayiba’s [Images] behest. While some sources suggest he too may be in Pakistan, other investigators believe he is still in India.

IB sources say Bhatkal, who has close Lashkar ties, could shed light on how the Mumbai attacks were financed. He raised funds and handled Lashkar operations in south India before he was re-assigned to the IM. The Lashkar wanted his assistance to ensure IM’s growth.

Investigations into the Hyderabad blasts of August 2007 also suggest Bhatkal’s hand.

Another man on the run is Qayammuddin, a key member in the outlawed Students Islamic Movement of India. From him, the investigators believe they could secure information pertaining to the terror trade route.

Iqbal Bhatkal, Riyaz’s brother who helped set up terror modules in south India, is suspected to be still in India.

Shadab Malik assembled the components for the bombs used in the Delhi [Images] blasts. He is said to have collected the material from someone only known as ‘Sharukh Khan’, likely a false name.

‘Sharukh Khan’, according to the police, had a bomb factory in Karnataka, which supplied improvised explosive devices to the IM.

When these terrorists are arrested, the law enforcement agencies will obtain crucial insights on the terror modules operating in north and south India. While the northern module is known as the Mahmood Ghaznavi brigade, the southern module is known as the Shahabuddin Ghauri brigade.

Jihad for virgins scam

The lone surviving terrorist of the Mumbai terror attack Ajmal Amir Kasab has admitted that he along with his militant partners were lured into the terrorist camps by the Pakistan army officers as they were made to believe that the ‘Jehad’ in which they are going to take part will offer them a chance to put an end to their quest for ‘holy virgins’.
The 10 Pakistan terrorists who attacked Mumbai were indoctrinated by the Pakistan terror establishment. Jehad-for Virgins Scam was used to cheat teenage muslims to become terrorists.
During the training Pakistan Army officers and Lashkar-e-Toiba commanders repeatedly told the terrorists that “the moment you are killed in the Jehad against India in Mumbai attack,your body will emit divine glow and an intoxicating fragrance, before the body rises to heaven, to enjoy sex with beautiful virgins waiting for you,” The Political Party.com quoted Kasab’s confession with the Mumbai Anti-Terror Squad (ATS).
Kasab now believes that Jehad is an unholy quest for sex with virgins in heaven. Kasab is now accusing the Pakistan army officers and Lashkar commanders of cheating the teenager terrorists with promise of sex with beautiful virgins in the heaven.

How ISI raises Rs 1800 crore a year for terror

Funds are instrumental in the success of a terrorist operation and India’s war against terror will not be complete unless it acts on this crucial aspect.

Take the instance of the Mumbai terror attacks. Intelligence Bureau officials have specific inputs that Sabahuddin, believed to have been part of the attack at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and the Central Reserve Police Force camp in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh [Images], had raised over Rs 10 lakh (Rs 1 million) for the operation through hawala channels.

An IB dossier reveals in detail how terror operations are financed and what channels Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence uses to ensure that the funds are raised. Besides this, the dossier also states how the ISI uses various channels to carry out terror strikes.

According to the IB dossier, which is in possession of rediff.com, the ISI raises nearly Rs 1,800 crore (Rs 18 billion) through internal generation of funds via investment in different sectors. The IB says the ISI has been using several outfits in India and Pakistan to raise funds for terror operations.
Money for terror operations is raised through smuggling of arms, fake currency, abductions, investment in the stock exchange and real estate.

Operations
The outfits, according to the IB dossier, that have been raising funds for the ISI include Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Tayiba, the Benevolence International Organisation, Bin Laden Front, Al Fuzaira, Khairul Ansar Al Khairia, Daulatatul Kuwait, Revival of Islamic Heritage Society and Doulatatul Bahrain.

The IB says that over the years funding through smuggling of arms and drugs has come down relatively thanks to increased vigil along the borders. Take, for example, the case of fugitive Indian gangster Dawood Ibrahim [Images].

The IB says the understanding reached between Ibrahim and the ISI was that he would be allowed to carry out smuggling operations out of Pakistan provided a part of the income was handed over for terror operations.

However, smuggling of arms and drugs is not hot in the terror circles. The ISI wants to give a more legal face to funding and hence has directed the outfits depending on it to invest in the stock market and real estate.

Lately, there has been a sudden increase in the circulation of fake currency in India. Various outfits like the Students Islamic Movement of India and the Harkat-ul-Jihadi have been using the money generated through the circulation of fake currency for terror-based operations.

How the ISI operates in India

The operation of the ISI in India has been classified into six categories:

Home-based operations
High Commission/diplomatic mission-based operations
Third country-based ISI operations
Operations through religious tanzeems (outfits)
Operations through jihadists in third countries
Operations using intelligence agencies in third countries.
The ISI methodology has been classified thus:

Shallow penetration trans-border operations
Deep penetration itinerary operations
Long term residents
Short term residents
Sleeper long term cells
Specific sabotage and subversion operations against primed targets
Operations through cloned tanzeem cells in collaboration with home-based tanzeem
Exploitation of the underworld

Spending on the Fidayeens

When it comes to spending money on terror operations, outfits patronizing terror just do not care. Experts and Intelligence Bureau officials say that the Mumbai terror attack could have cost the Lashkar-e-Tayiba anything between Rs 3.5 and Rs 4 crore.
This is a conclusion that has been reached based on the statements of Sabahuddin who revealed that the Laskhar-e-Tayiba had spent Rs 50 lakh on the attack on the Indian Institute of Science. Sabahuddin reveals that the LeT in particular has a generous hand when it comes to spending money on terror operations. He however added that they get a dressing down from their bosses when so much is spent and the operation is not a success.
IB officials say that terror outfits are very generous when it comes to spending money especially on the Fidayeens. Take for instance the Mumbai operation. A large chunk of the money was spent on the Fidayeens and each of received at least Rs 20 lakh for the operation. The amount spent on arms and ammunition for the Mumbai attack was around Rs 50 lakh which includes the rifles, other ammunition and also other electronic devices. IB sources say that these operatives do not have to spend much on arms and ammunition since it is all obtained through smuggling and it comes quite cheap to them. A large chunk of the money was also spent in bribing several persons as the Fidayeens entered into Mumbai, investigations would also reveal. There is also a considerable amount of money that was spent on handlers who helped carry out the attack. Their stay in Mumbai, transportation and also pocket money is also included in the sum that was spent on this deadly attack.
This would mean that the amount was spent most on Fidayeens. Saba says that the LeT spends a lot on the Fidayeens. During the training process there is no money given to the Fidayeens and they undergo a strict training regime. They are supposed to eat the food that is given to them and there is no question of eating out. Smoking and chewing of tobacco is banned during the training process. However after the training is complete and as they wait for final orders, they are allowed to ask for as much money as possible and they are never denied.
Saba says that they are always paid in US dollars and the money is never given in their hand. Saba says that while he waited for the final orders during the IISC attack all the money was received by him through a money transfer. During this attack they had transferred 2200 US dollars on four occasions and everytime I asked for this money there were no questions asked. We are not asked questions on how we plan on spending this money, he also revealed.
In the Mumbai case, while each Fidayeen was paid Rs 30 lakh. This does not necessarily mean that a bulk amount of Rs 20 lakh was given to them, IB sources also say. They would have been given money in installments. However these men who carry out Fidayeen attacks do not take the entire money along with them. While they spend quite a sum during the run up to the operation, they always insist that a major share of the money is sent to their families. Most of these persons hail from poor backgrounds and they feel that this is the only way they could do something for their families.
Saba adds during his interrogation that while the LeT knows no limits when it comes to spending money on Fidayeen attacks there is however an accountability factor. When such a large sum of money is spent on an operation, the LeT demands that the operation is a success. Saba points out his own experience following the failure of the IISC attack. He said during his interrogation that he had received a dressing down from Laqvi after the attack was a failure. Laqvi infact had said that such an important operation had failed after they spent such a huge sum on the operation.

They continue to slip out

Ever wondered how terrorists make their exit after their operations? There is a clear-cut plan for terrorists to make their way to Pakistan after their operations, say the police after interrogating Sabahuddin, who is being grilled by the Mumbai [Images] Anti-Terrorist Squad.

After the Bangalore Indian Institute of Science attack, Sabahuddin quietly slipped into Pakistan � at a time when the police forces were scanning the country’s nook and corner.

Then how did he — and other terror operatives — give them the slip? In true filmy style, that is how.

Sabauddin said he left India on a passport that was made by none other than Shahid Bilal — the Harkat ul Jamaat e Islami operative in charge of South Asia operations. He says the Lashkar-e-Tayiba [Images] and HuJI have a network when it comes to slipping its operatives out of India. Immediately after the IISc attack, Sabahuddin left for his home town in Bihar. After spending a couple of weeks with his family, he managed to slip into Bangladesh where he met Muzammil, an LeT operative, in Dhaka where he was asked to meet Junaid.

Sabahuddin said he had no inkling who Junaid would be. To his surprise, he said he later discovered that Junaid was none other than Shahid Bilal.

“I was advised not to stay in one place. Hence I went to Cox Bazaar, Chittagong and St Martin Island before returning to Dhaka. Bilal then met me at one Hotel Garden where I was put up. I was told that there was a group of other jihadis who were staying at the same hotel and they were all waiting to enter into India to carry out attacks. Bilal also informed me that he had formed a group in India exclusively for the LeT and HuJI, and these men would provide support to terrorists coming from outside the country,” Sabahuddin said.

Bilal also asked him fro two photographs for making his passport — with which Sabahuddin flew to Pakistan.

Do we need more proof

The Mumbai Anti Terrorist Squad has picked up more clues of the Pakistan Army being linked to terror training and also the Mumbai attack of 26/11.
Terrorists Ajamal Kasab and Sabahuddin have both revealed that the Pakistan Army played a major role in training terrorists to carry out strikes in India. According to Sabahuddin, the most important role that is played by the Pakistan army is ensuring a safe passage into the Lashkar-e-Tayiba camps.
Sabahuddin while explaining his journey into Jihad told his interrogators that he decided to tread this horrific path in the year 2002. I was upset with the Godhra incident and hence thought that I too needed to fight. At that time I was studying at the Aligarh Muslim University and met a person by the name Ajmal who was in the same college. I told Ajmal about my desire to fight for the cause of the community and he in turn introduced to a person by the name Salim who was known as Doctor. This man used to send young men to Pakistan so that they could be trained and fight in Kashmir. I was given a letter and was asked to hand it over to a person that I would be meeting at Kashmir. In Kashmir I met with Adnan and Umar Qatada who told me that they were the area commanders of the LeT. I was then taken to the camp where I along with three others were handed over AK-47 rifles, hand grenades and jackets. We were then asked to get into LeT training camp in Pakistan and were also told that the army would not be a problem over there.
Once we entered into Pakistan, we were stopped by members of the Pakistan army. We were asked about our background and details. We said that we were fighting in Kashmir on behalf of the LeT. Our names were taken down and later registered by the Pakistan army.
The army then called for a person who was supposed to take us to the LeT camp. A few hours later that man turned up and then guided us to the Forward Kahota camp of the LeT. Once at the camp we were received by the commander of the camp, Abu Abdullah Ghazi and later training was imparted to us.
Further evidence of a Pakistan army link is based on the IB intercepts and also the statements of Ajmal Kasab. He had mentioned during his interrogation that the Pakistan navy had imparted training to LeT operatives. It was due to this training that they were able to attack Mumbai from the seas he had also said. An IB official told rediff.com that the training was imparted by the elite wing of the Pakistan navy which is called as the Musa Company. According to the IB the terrorists who attacked Mumbai received special maritime training from the Musa company which is a special services wing formed on the line of the Marcos in India.

Everything about the Pakis is laughable

Pakistani on the moon:

Q: What do you call one Pakistani on the moon?

A: Problem…

Q: What do you call 10 Pakistanis on the moon?

A: Problem…

Q: What do you call a 100 Pakistanis on the moon?

A: Problem…

Q: What do you call ALL the Pakistanis on the moon?

A: …… Problem Solved!!!

Terrorist or Pakistani

A man is taking a walk in Central Park in New York . Suddenly he sees a little girl being attacked by a pit bull dog.

He runs over and starts fighting with the dog. He succeeds in killing the dog and saving the girl’s life.

A policeman who was watching the scene walks over and says: “You are a hero, tomorrow you can read it in all the newspapers:
“Brave New Yorker saves the life of little girl”.
The man says: “But I am not a New Yorker!”

Oh then it will say in newspapers in the morning:
“Brave American saves life of little girl” the policeman answers.
“But I am not an American!” – says the man. Oh, what are you then?”

The man says: “I am a Pakistani!”
The next day the newspapers say: “Extremist kills innocent American dog ”

Kill em all

Vajpayee and Bush are sitting in a bar. A guy walks in and asks the barman,
“Isn’t that Bush and Vajpayee?”

The barman says “Yep, that’s them.” So the guy walks over and says, “Hello, what are you guys doing?”

Bush says, “We’re planning world war 3″

The guy says, “Really? What’s going to happen?”

And Vajpayee says, “Well, we’re going to kill 14 million Pakistanis and one bicycle repairman.”

And the guy exclaimed, “A bicycle repairman?!! !”

Vajpayee turns to Bush and says, “See, I told you no-one would worry about the 14 million Pakistanis!”

China calling
The prime Minister of China called President Bush to console him after the attack on the Pentagon:

“I’m sorry to hear about the attack. It is a very big tragedy. But in case you are missing any documents from the Pentagon, we have copies of everything.”

Early call:
Musharraf calls Bush on 11th sept:

Musharraf: Mr President, I would like to express my condolences to you. It is a real tragedy. So many people, such great bldgs… I would like to ensure that we had nothing in connection with that..

Bush: What buildings? What people??

Musharraf: Oh, and what time is it in America now?

Bush: It’s eight in the morning.

Musharraf: Oops…Will call back in an hour!