FBI searching for 200 more suspects

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, OCT. 15. Investigative agencies are looking for about 200 more persons who may be involved in the Sept. 11 terror attacks on New York and Washington. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is saying that while people wanted are for questioning, it is not ruling out that some of the persons sought may be terrorists who had a direct hand in the attacks.

In all, about 800 persons have been rounded up and are being carefully screened. The FBI and other intelligence agencies are actively involved in searching every nook and corner of America besides spreading the net overseas.

One such person the FBI is looking for is a Saudi pilot who bought two small planes from an airport near Tennessee close to where U.S. Special Forces are based. A senior FBI official has said that the Saudi national is being sought for reasons other than the terror attacks.

The U.S. is also leaning hard on some nations to cooperate more fully in the terrorism investigation. But domestically, the tightened surveillance has resulted in the crackdown or break-up of several terrorist cells; and in the unearthing of newer and smaller ones. But the FBI believes that people who are actively wanted remain hidden in the U.S., in Europe and West Asia.

What is being stressed here is that loosely knit terrorist cells are planning to strike. At the same time, the quality and the quantity of intelligence have grown in the last week. Authorities are taking no chances and over the weekend had a major terrorist watch posted. Intelligence agencies are making the point that evidence gathered does not reveal specific targets but of a ``clearer'' picture of the intent to strike.

Meanwhile, the subject of bio-terrorism is also taking up the time and attention of the authorities with as many as 12 confirmed cases of anthrax exposure in the States of Florida, New York and Nevada. While not pressing the panic button, the authorities are warning the public to stay alert. Intelligence agencies have not found any direct links between the anthrax exposures and organised terrorism.

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Section  : International
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