FBI knew of Headley's LeT links from 2005
domain-b.com : FBI knew of Headley's LeT links from 2005
Even as the PR machinery swings into action to smoothen passage of US president Barack Obama, with reports that he may indeed stay at Mumbai's iconic Taj Hotel the target of a savage assault by Pakistan Army-backed LeT cadre terrorists in November 2008, it now transpires that America's top counter-intelligence agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, was aware of prime suspect David Headley's active connection with the Lashkar-e-Toiba atleast from 2005.
What makes the episode even stranger is the fact that the FBI was made aware of his terrorist connections by Headley's wife, who spilled the beans on his LeT connections in 2005 after a marital dispute.
"Three years before Pakistani terrorists struck Mumbai in 2008, federal agents in New York City investigated a tip that an American businessman was training in Pakistan with the group that later executed the attack," so says a report on the 26/11 attacks by ProPublica, an independent, non-profit newsroom engaged in investigative journalism in the public interest.
"The previously undisclosed allegations against David Coleman Headley, who became a key figure in the plot that killed 166 people, came from his wife after a domestic dispute that resulted in his arrest in 2005," the report said.
According to the report, Headley's wife not only told the FBI that he was an active Lashkar-e-Toiba militant, but also that he had trained extensively in their Pakistani camps and had also shopped for night vision goggles and other equipment.
The report is investigated and authored by Sebastian Rotella of ProPublica, who has cited officials and sources close to the case.
An version of the investigative report was also published by the online edition of The Washington Post.
There was no immediate response from the FBI on the authenticity of the report.
"The handling of the Headley case calls into question the progress of American law enforcement and intelligence agencies in improving their coordination and ability to 'connect the dots' and deter attacks. It also raises questions about a complicated relationship between American authorities and a confessed terrorist," ProPublica said.
ProPublica is supported entirely by philanthropy and provides the articles it produces, free of charge, both through its website and to leading news organisations.
The reports does not identify Headley's wife, in order to protect her safety.
The report, citing a person close to the case, says that Headley's wife also told agents that he had bragged of working as a paid US informant even as he trained with the terrorists in Pakistan.
Headley is currently lodged in a Chicago prison after he was arrested by the FBI agents last year on charges of involvement in the Mumbai terrorist attacks. He confessed to his role in the Mumbai attacks under a plea bargain.
"Federal officials say the FBI 'looked into' the tip, but they declined to say what, if any, action was taken. Headley was jailed briefly in New York on charges of domestic assault but was not prosecuted. He wasn't arrested until 11 months after the Mumbai attack, when British intelligence alerted US authorities that he was in contact with al-Qaeda operatives in Europe," the report said.
ProPublica points out that in the four year period, between his wife's warning and Headley's capture, the LeT dispatched Headley on missions around the world to reconnoitre potential targets.
In the course of five trips to Mumbai, under the cover of his US passport and identity as a businessman, he circulated freely in areas frequented by Westerners.
He was in constant touch with his Pakistani terrorist handlers, including a serving Pakistan Army major accused of helping direct and fund his missions.
The report has cited court documents and anti-terrorism officials.
According to ProPublica investigations, it is not clear from the available information whether a different response to the tip about Headley might have averted the Mumbai attacks.
"It is known that US anti-terrorism officials warned Indian counterparts several times in 2008 about a possible attack on Mumbai, according to US and Indian officials.
"The warnings included details, such as a threat to the iconic Taj Mahal hotel, which became a target, officials say," the report said.
source /read more : domain-b.com : FBI knew of Headley's LeT links from 2005
Even as the PR machinery swings into action to smoothen passage of US president Barack Obama, with reports that he may indeed stay at Mumbai's iconic Taj Hotel the target of a savage assault by Pakistan Army-backed LeT cadre terrorists in November 2008, it now transpires that America's top counter-intelligence agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, was aware of prime suspect David Headley's active connection with the Lashkar-e-Toiba atleast from 2005.
What makes the episode even stranger is the fact that the FBI was made aware of his terrorist connections by Headley's wife, who spilled the beans on his LeT connections in 2005 after a marital dispute.
"Three years before Pakistani terrorists struck Mumbai in 2008, federal agents in New York City investigated a tip that an American businessman was training in Pakistan with the group that later executed the attack," so says a report on the 26/11 attacks by ProPublica, an independent, non-profit newsroom engaged in investigative journalism in the public interest.
"The previously undisclosed allegations against David Coleman Headley, who became a key figure in the plot that killed 166 people, came from his wife after a domestic dispute that resulted in his arrest in 2005," the report said.
According to the report, Headley's wife not only told the FBI that he was an active Lashkar-e-Toiba militant, but also that he had trained extensively in their Pakistani camps and had also shopped for night vision goggles and other equipment.
The report is investigated and authored by Sebastian Rotella of ProPublica, who has cited officials and sources close to the case.
An version of the investigative report was also published by the online edition of The Washington Post.
There was no immediate response from the FBI on the authenticity of the report.
"The handling of the Headley case calls into question the progress of American law enforcement and intelligence agencies in improving their coordination and ability to 'connect the dots' and deter attacks. It also raises questions about a complicated relationship between American authorities and a confessed terrorist," ProPublica said.
ProPublica is supported entirely by philanthropy and provides the articles it produces, free of charge, both through its website and to leading news organisations.
The reports does not identify Headley's wife, in order to protect her safety.
The report, citing a person close to the case, says that Headley's wife also told agents that he had bragged of working as a paid US informant even as he trained with the terrorists in Pakistan.
Headley is currently lodged in a Chicago prison after he was arrested by the FBI agents last year on charges of involvement in the Mumbai terrorist attacks. He confessed to his role in the Mumbai attacks under a plea bargain.
"Federal officials say the FBI 'looked into' the tip, but they declined to say what, if any, action was taken. Headley was jailed briefly in New York on charges of domestic assault but was not prosecuted. He wasn't arrested until 11 months after the Mumbai attack, when British intelligence alerted US authorities that he was in contact with al-Qaeda operatives in Europe," the report said.
ProPublica points out that in the four year period, between his wife's warning and Headley's capture, the LeT dispatched Headley on missions around the world to reconnoitre potential targets.
In the course of five trips to Mumbai, under the cover of his US passport and identity as a businessman, he circulated freely in areas frequented by Westerners.
He was in constant touch with his Pakistani terrorist handlers, including a serving Pakistan Army major accused of helping direct and fund his missions.
The report has cited court documents and anti-terrorism officials.
According to ProPublica investigations, it is not clear from the available information whether a different response to the tip about Headley might have averted the Mumbai attacks.
"It is known that US anti-terrorism officials warned Indian counterparts several times in 2008 about a possible attack on Mumbai, according to US and Indian officials.
"The warnings included details, such as a threat to the iconic Taj Mahal hotel, which became a target, officials say," the report said.
source /read more : domain-b.com : FBI knew of Headley's LeT links from 2005
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