Jundal was in Saudi Arabia to raise funds

Syed Zabiuddin, the key handler in 26/11 Mumbai attack and who was arrested last week from the national capital after being deported from Saudi Arabia, told the investigative agencies that Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) bosses in Pakistan had sent him to Saudi Arabia to generate funds from the sheikhs and sympathisers which was to be used for a major terrorist strike against India.

 

He also revealed the names of a few members of the LeT and Indian Mujahideen active in India.

During five days of interrogation at the Lodhi Colony Delhi Police Special Cell office, Zabiuddin, who was arrested from Indira Gandhi International Airport on June 21, told police that another terror strike in India was being planned by La­shkar top bosses within a year.

Zabiuddin said that Lashkar was trying hard to win over Saudi Arabia’s sheikhs for extending their operation across India. “After generating funds from them, the money was sent to India in the names of various mosques,” he told interrogators. “He was also asked to pull in Indian youths working in Saudi Arabia for the banned terror outfit Indian Mujahideen,” said a senior police officer.

Regarding previous terror attacks, Zabiuddin, also known as Abu Jundal alias Abu Hamza, gave investigators details of explosives used in the various terror plots, including 26/11 Mumbai attack. He also helped the sleuths to prepare a sketch of the Lashkar War Room set up in Karachi during the Mumbai 26/11 attack. He also said that the war room was very near to Pakistan intelligence agency, the ISI’s training centre. 

Zabiuddin is said to have revealed names of ISI officers who were involved in directing the LeT terrorists during the Mumbai attack. But this has not been confirmed yet.

The 31-year-old resident of Georai of Beed district in Maharashtra was also asked by the sleuths to give exact details of Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, ISI officers and other outfit members’ involvement and their position in the control room during Mumbai attack.

 “Details of the satellite phone used for communicating with the terrorists during 26/11 attack were also asked,” said the officer.

When asked about the people who selected the targets of Mumbai attack, he said he met Lashkar chief Hafiz Syed a few days ago before the strike and they selected the targets in Mumbai.

His role in Mumbai 26/11 cropped up in 2010 after Lal Baba Mohammad Sheikh, a Lashkar operative, was detained in connection with the Pune Bakery blast. Sheikh had told police about Zabiuddin’s involvement in the German Bakery attack as well.

The Delhi Police started looking for Zabiuddin after arrested Indian Mujahideen terrorist Mohammad Adil revealed his name in the 2010 Jama Masjid attack during interrogation.

 Adil, who was arrested last year by Delhi Police, told interrogators about Zaibuddin’s involvement in raising funds for Lashkar during his stay in Saudi Arabia and his role in 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

The intelligence and investigative agencies have started carrying out raids at various places across India, including Maharashtra. Zabiuddin will also be interrogated in front of Indian Mujahideen members, who were arrested and are in judicial custody.