Plot was to kill Advani during Bangalore visit?

By K.V.Subramanya

BANGALORE, OCT. 11. Was there a plan to make an attempt on the life of the Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K.Advani, during his scheduled visit to Bangalore on October 12? The security agencies are looking into this aspect following the arrest of Mumbai gangster, Akbar Hussein alias Kareem Akbar, here on October 6. He was reportedly involved in a conspiracy hatched by Chhota Shakeel to kill Mr. Advani. The plot came to light because of the joint efforts made by intelligence agencies and Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore police.

Mr. Advani's visit was cancelled at the last moment but police here say that it `may not' have been due to the unearthing of the conspiracy. They are given to understand that the cancellation was because Mr. Advani was busy following the recent international developments.

A senior police officer said they were trying to find out whether Akbar was planning to carry out any covert activity here. ``We think there is something in the offing,'' the officer told The Hindu.

Security agencies have found that Akbar had even visited Lucknow a few days before Mr. Advani's scheduled trip there on September 23.

Incidentally, Akbar was picked up from the same hotel near Shoolay Circle here where three gangsters owing allegiance to Shakeel were staying before they were gunned down by the Mumbai police in an encounter on Airport Road recently.

Police are yet to figure out the reasons behind the Shakeel gangsters camping in the city.

Akbar was arrested hours after his arrival here from Chennai and was taken in a plane to Mumbai.

Investigations by security agencies have revealed that Chhota Shakeel, reportedly at the behest of Pakistan's ISI, had come up with a plan to kill Mr. Advani, and Akbar was part of the core team that had conspired to carry it out. Apart from Akbar, Mumbai police have arrested Javed Khan, Mohammed Sadiq, Srinivasa Naidu, Mohammed Zakir, and Mohamed Hanif who were also said to be part of the conspiracy. Akbar's arrest in Bangalore is said to have helped the police in apprehending Zakir and Hanif at Chennai on October 6.

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