Author: Gaurav Kala
Publication: The Times of India
Date: June 16, 2001
Indraprasth - A Sudanese national,
said to be working for Osama bin Laden, and his Indian accomplice were
arrested by the Delhi Police in a joint operation with central intelligence
agencies from south Delhi on Thursday. The accused, said sources on Friday,
were preparing to blast the United States embassy.
Abdil Rauf Hawas (30) was arrested
after a raid by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police from Nizamuddin area.
He was allegedly possessing over 6 kg of RDX, detonators and timers at
the time of his arrest, said sources. He was also buying a car, according
to the sources, which was to be used for bombing the embassy.
The arrest has rattled the Delhi
Police top brass as it is the first time that bin Laden's direct involvement
in subversive activities has come to light in the country. The security
cordon around the US embassy has been tightened following the arrest.
Sources in the police said the Sudanese
had been in the country for over eight years. ''He had set up base in Udaipur
and avoided visiting the Capital. He had reportedly come to the Capital
to meet a contact when he was arrested,'' said the source.
For the last eight years, Hawas,
30, had been using his student status as a cover for his activities. ''Till
1996, before he left for Afghanistan, bin Laden had his headquarters in
Khartoom, Sudan. We believe that it was in the late 80s that Hawas became
a member of his terrorist ring. He had then been trained and injected into
India on a student visa,'' said the source.
Police officials said Hawas was
what in espionage terminology is referred to as a 'dormant asset' for several
years. ''A dormant asset is a well placed agent who is not used for several
years. He uses this time to build an alibi for himself and if need be recruit
other agents. Such an agent may be mobilised after years of inaction. We
believe that this was the case with Hawas,'' said the source.
It has also been learnt that Hawas
had planned to strike at the US Embassy. Sources said that Hawas had prepared
maps and plans and had familiarised himself with the area. He had even
set up base in Delhi for this purpose.
His Indian accomplice has been identified
as Shameem, who hails from Bihar. ''Shameem is a religious minded person.
A few years back he came in contact with Hawas. Over time Hawas was able
to motivate and recruit him. We are yet to confirm what exactly his role
would have been in the intended attack,'' the source added.
Intelligence agencies and the Special
Cell have now launched operations to try and identify any other bin Laden
sympathisers in the country. Teams have already been dispatched to Udaipur
and other cities where Hawas is believed to have set up bases.
