Plot to kill Advani unearthed

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, OCT. 10. With the arrest of six alleged gangsters of the Chhota Shakeel gang, security agencies have claimed to have unearthed a plot to cause harm to the Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani. They have also felt concerned over the recovery of a press identity card from one of those arrested, which was purported to have been issued by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

Official sources here said indications about the conspiracy were first available to the intelligence sources early last month and timely coordination between the Mumbai, Tamil Nadu and the Karnataka police helped unearth the conspiracy.

Investigations revealed that Chhota Shakeel had reportedly offered a huge amount to Mumbai-based cohorts for drawing up the plan. It was a well-organised network with Javed Khan and Mohammad Sadik stationed at Mumbai for coordination. Intelligence was gathered that the gang members involved in the conspiracy were to change their hideouts at Mumbai and Chennai.

Cellular phones with SIM cards seized indicated the preparation for the final operation. One Akbar Hussain was arrested at Bangalore on October 6, hours after he arrived from Chennai. This arrest also facilitated the arrest of Mohammad Zakir and Mohammad Hanif at Chennai the same night. The Mumbai police had already apprehended Javed, Srinivas Moonuswamy Naidu and Mohammad Sadik immediately after information was available that they changed their hideouts.

Documents recovered from Mohammad Zakir reportedly carried the name of the Home Minister at two places. It was also revealed that Akbar Hussain also visited Lucknow during the third week of September but it was not clear if his visit was motivated by the fact that the Home Minister was expected to arrive in Lucknow on September 23. But the possession of a press identity card, purported issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, seemed to suggest that he was designated to gain proximity to VIPs. The Mumbai police have registered a case and further investigations are continuing.

Mumbai, Lucknow targets

Our Special Correspondent reports from Mumbai

The Mumbai Police Commissioner, Mr. M.N. Singh, told reporters that over a month ago, the Crime Branch of the city police learnt that Chhota Shakeel, an associate of Dawood Ibrahim, had instructed some of his operatives at the behest of the Pakistani intelligence agency, ISI, to assassinate Mr. Advani.

He said some incriminating papers were found in their possession and besides the assassination, they were told to carry out subversive activities in Mumbai and Lucknow. He said these persons were supplied explosives and weapons for the purpose.

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