This Article is From Aug 07, 2010

The Importance of being Illyas Kashmiri

The Importance of being Illyas Kashmiri
Mumbai: India has sought access to Ilyas Kashmiri who was recently named by terror suspect David Headley in connection with 26/11.

His group HuJI finds mention in the audio conversations between a handler in Pakistan and a terrorist inside Nariman House.

NDTV's Tejas Mehta reports on the connection between 26/11 and the man who is one of Pakistan's and now India's most wanted.

Three new dossiers have been handed over to Pakistan. One of them on 26/11 accused, another on Ilyas Kashmiri, one of the Al-Qaida's top men in Pakistan.

Now here's the link between the two: According to the an audio conservation that NDTV has accessed:
  • Abu Jundal, Handler, 26/11 attacks: 313 brigade humari (taksheel) ho chuki hai...  Nahin, Nahin. Matlab hamara 313 Brigade ka jo action, agla action joh 313 Brigade ka hai.
In the above audio, Abu Jundal, the alleged Indian 26/11 handler is briefing Imran Babar, a terrorist inside Nariman house.

On what he should tell the Indian media as the 26/11 attack unfolded.

The 26/11 connection to Ilyas Kashmiri found in the words "313 Brigade"

Hear it again:
Abu Jundal: 313 brigade humari (taksheel) ho chuki hai..  Nahin, Nahin. Matlab hamara 313 Brigade ka jo action, agla action joh 313 Brigade ka hai.

313 Brigade is said to be an umbrella organisation of terror groups like the Lashkar and Jaish-e-Mohammed headed by Kashmiri.

Who was once closely associated with the ISI.

The statement meant to be a warning to India that Kashmiri's group would attack India.

The 313 Brigade: Organisation of terror groups
  • Includes: LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed
  • Kashmiri: Operational head of 313 
  • Kashmiri: Once associated with ISI
  • Handler's statement warning to India
At a rally in one of Pakistan's tribal held areas, Kashmiri is said to have threatened attacks on:
  • The Commonwealth Games
  • The Indian Premier League
  • The Hockey World Cup
Kashmiri is already wanted in Pakistan for several attacks including the one on the Marriot Hotel that killed over 50. He also made an attempt to assassinate former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

India's interest also piqued after terror accused David Headley named Kashmiri as his guru.

Officially at least Pakistan says they are helpless. They claim ignorance about Kashmiri's whereabouts since he operates from the remote tribal areas of Waziristan. Add to that Kashmiri is a wanted accused in Pakistan and carries a 600,000 dollar reward on his head. In this scenario, will India's request for access to Kashmiri bear fruit>? Now that's a million dollar question.
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