http://www.timesofindia.com/Articleshow.asp?art_id=191917915
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CBI links 9/11, Kolkata attacks; gives proof to FBI

[ TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2002 11:02:42 PM ]

NEW DELHI: Linking Tuesday's shootout at American Centre in
Kolkata with the September 11 US strikes, CBI on Tuesday
informed FBI that the ransom money taken by Dubai underworld
don Aftab Ansari to release a Kolkata shoe baron was used to
finance Mohammed Atta, leader of the hijackers who rammed
planes into buildings in Washington and New York.

CBI Director P C Sharma told visiting FBI Chief Robert S Mueller
that Ansari, who claimed responsibility for Tuesday's attack, had
taken a ransom of Rs 37.5 million to free shoe baron
Parthapratim Roy Burman through hawala channels to Dubai,
CBI sources said.

Out of this amount, Omar Sheikh, one of the three militants
released by India for the safety of hostages on board the
hijacked Indian Airlines plane in Kandahar, had sent $100,000 to
Atta through telegraphic transfer, CBI sources said.

Sheikh, a British national, was an important leader of
Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islamia (HuJI).

The sources said Ansari had been directed by Sheikh in August
last year to establish a network to have covert operations
launched through Bangladesh besides carrying out kidnappings
to secure release of some hardcore militants from jails.

Ansari was cultivated by Pakistan's ISI in early 2000 for
supporting covert operations in India, the sources said, adding
the shootout was a clear indication that some
Pakistan-supported groups were targeting India through third
countries.

It also brought to light continued used of criminal and
fundamentalist groups by Pakistan for perpetrating terrorism,
they said.

Aftab Ansari alias Aftab Ahmed alias Farhan Malik was based in
Dubai. An FIR number 73/99 under Section 365 (kidnapping) of
Indian Penal Code has been registered against Ansari by
Varanasi police.

Interestingly, the Kolkata police found a link between the shoe
baron kidnapping case and Tuesday's attack after its CID wing
received a phone call from Dubai from Ansari and the ISD call
number had "originated from Dubai".

Sharma, during his 30-minute meeting with Mueller, also
handed over a list of 22 terrorists, criminals and economic
offenders believed to be in the United States.

CBI has secured a Red Corner Notice against these people. The
two chiefs also expressed desire to extend mutual co-operation
with each other directly. (PTI)