'US knew of 26/11'

National Investigation Agency officials believe FBI didn't pass on info to India

National Investigation Agency officials believe FBI didn't pass on info to India

Was the US aware of the plot surrounding the November 26, 2008, terror attacks? Officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) believe it was.

NIA suspects that US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) sleuths knew specific details about the attack and did not pass them on to India.

The NIA finds it hard to believe that the FBI did not keep a tab on mastermind David Coleman Headley despite the fact that he made regular trips to Pakistan.

Barbarian: David Headley in a Chicago court

Headley frequently visited Pakistan between 2005 and July 2008. "After 9/11, anybody who travels to Pakistan is under the observation of the FBI.

It is very unlikely that Headley was an exception," an NIA officer pointed out.

It has now become amply clear that Headley was the source of information behind US agencies' alert to India in September 2008, warning of a LeT attack on Mumbai through the sea route.

After 9/11, intelligence sharing between India and the US has increased, but with certain riders.

"The US has an unofficial policy of not sharing Pakistan-related intelligence to us. We believe not sharing 26/11-related information came under this diktat," said a senior Intelligence Bureau official.

Headley conducted extensive surveillance of targets in Mumbai for more than two years before the attacks.

Dec 7
The day the FBI filed a chargesheet against David Headley in a Chicago court

166
The number of people who died in the terror attacks, including six Americans

Feb 15, 2006
The day Daood Gilani changed his name to David Headley