David Headley, a US-Pakistani national arrested on October 3, 2009 in the United States for his role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, was known to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as he was arrested in 1988 and 1997 on heroin-related charges, according to top intelligence sources.
Headley’s extradition is back in the news, as the FBI is on the lookout for Vikash Yadav for his alleged involvement in the conspiracy to kill Khalistani terrorist and US citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. During a press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said he was no longer an employee of the Indian government. While the US has not yet sought his extradition, there are chances that it may seek India’s assistance.
Indian intelligence agencies say Headley may have been an FBI informant before his involvement with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The FBI has faced criticism for not acting sooner to prevent Headley’s involvement in the 26/11 attacks.
The question of the agencies, according to sources, is – as a twice arrested accused, why was he never questioned for his activities, especially when he was known to designated terror group LeT?
THE 2 ARRESTS
Headley is a known criminal and started dealing heroin in New York City in 1980. In 1988, he was arrested for conspiracy to smuggle heroin and sentenced to prison for four years, of which he served two.
He was arrested for heroin trafficking in 1997 and served 15 months in jail.
During his jail term, he apparently cooperated with authorities, providing information on international heroin trafficking.
In his statement, he has said he met LeT operatives during his second imprisonment. Later, LeT exploited Headley’s criminal network to fund terrorism. According to sources, it is unbelievable that an accused known to the FBI or Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) may not be used for their strategic interests.
SERVING 35-YEAR SENTENCE
Headley is currently serving a 35-year sentence in the United States after pleading guilty to 12 international terrorism charges. On December 10, 2015, Headley turned approver. On February 15, 2016, in a video deposition from the US, Headley made “disclosures and revelations" about the planning of 26/11 and his role in it.
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) accused Headley of filming potential targets in Mumbai prior to 26/11. Headley reportedly changed his name from Daood Gilani to escape suspicion, after which he made five trips to Mumbai and filmed the landmarks that could be attacked by the terrorists.
India has been trying to get Headley extradited for 14 years. Agencies suspect the possible reason may be the fear that he may expose his handler. “It is surprising that America is fighting against terror, but not cooperating on a terror accused who was a co-conspirator in mass killings in Mumbai," said sources.
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