Author: PTI
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: January 3, 2010
URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com/226739/Headleys-estranged-Moroccan-wife-gives-more-Mumbai-links.html
Security agencies have been able to get an
insight into the personal life of American terror suspect David Headley, with
his estranged Moroccan wife telling investigators about connections he had
in Mumbai, including with some socialites.
Faiza Outalha, who, the security agencies
suspect had carried out reconnaissance of certain installations that were
targeted by the Lashker-e-Taiba terrorists in Mumbai on November 26, 2008,
told National Investigation Agency (NIA) that she was married to 48-year-old
Headley but had a divorce later, official sources said.
The woman flew to Mumbai from Karachi and
crossed over through Wagah border into India the second time. She had come
for the first time in 2007 and stayed with the terror suspect in Taj Mahal
Hotel and later in Oberoi-Trident. Both the hotels were targeted by the terrorists
on 26/11.
She again came in May 2008 via Wagah and went
straight to Manali where she had her holidays near a Jewish house and later
toured other parts of Shimla including Kufri, a well-known tourist destination.
While she claimed that she had since been
divorced as Headley was having relations with several women, the investigators
also found from her about the terror suspect's relations with some upcoming
Bollywood actors, prominent party-hoppers of Mumbai and socialites.
The Moroccan woman informed the NIA sleuths
that Headley's activities in the hotel were suspicious and both of them had
visited the Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus, a place which saw Lashker terrorists
including the lone arrested militant Ajmal Kasab raining bullets on people.
On the basis of her statement, the NIA team
has also quizzed an American national in Goa who knew Headley. The US national,
who is not a suspect in the case, has been hopping in and out of India and
had stayed in Manali and Goa with his Russian girlfriend.
The American, who works as a masseur, has
not violated any of the visa rules of the country and he had informed the
investigators about Headley's activities in Goa.
Another question bothering the probe agency
was how Outalha entered India through Wagah border which is exclusively meant
for Indian or Pakistani nationals. The woman is a Moroccan passport holder
and could only use the route through special permission from the Pakistani
foreign office.
