HOMING IN FOR ANSWERS: The lane to Haji Chawl in Behrampada, Bandra (East), where Abdul Latif Rashid resides
Mateen Hafeez | TNN
Mumbai: Investigators are busy trying to unravel the identity of the mysterious ‘Chacha’ in Pakistan who the arrested duo, Abdul Latif Rashid and Riyaz Imtiaz Ali, allegedly received instructions from via the phone.While sources in the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) say the finger of suspicion points to Abdul Bashir Khan, an absconder in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case who is believed to be holed up in Pakistan, sources in the security establishment say the possibility of ‘Chacha’ being the trainer of the 26/11 terrorists, as revealed by gunman Ajmal Kasab, has not been ruled out.
Khan is the maternal uncle of Latif. He fled to Pakistan after the 1993 blasts and is believed to be staying with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim at the latter’s bungalow while working as the don’s assistant. ‘Chacha’ had promised the two arrested men a meeting with Dawood, said ATS officials.
“Khan fled the country after the police started arresting suspects in the 1993 serial blasts case,’’ said a Mumbai crime branch officer.
The ATS, has mentioned ‘Uncle’ in the remand application as being the instructor of the two arrested Mumbai men. “Uncle instigated the suspects to come to Pakistan and commit some terrorist activity before they leave India,’’ reads the remand application.
“Latif would try to impress people in his locality by saying that he could talk to Dawood Ibrahim and meet him anytime he wanted,’’ said the officer.
The Times of India, March 16, 2010
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