India Takes Custody of Prime Suspect in Calcutta Attack
VOA News
9 Feb 2002 18:48 UTC
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The prime suspect in last month's attack on the American cultural center in the Indian city of Calcutta is in custody in India.

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates arrested Aftab Ansari, also known as Farhan Malik, and extradited him to India today (Saturday). Another suspect, identified only as Rajender, was also sent from Dubai to New Delhi.

Police say they suspect Mr. Ansari of organizing the January attack on the American cultural center, which killed five policemen and wounded 20 others.

The director of India's Central Bureau of Investigations, P-C Sharma, says Mr. Ansari was carrying a Pakistani passport when he was arrested, and he accused Islamabad of providing support to the suspect.

Mr. Sharma said authorities also have found links between Mr. Ansari and Omar Saeed Sheikh, whom Pakistani police believe to be one of the key kidnappers of Wall Street Journal Daniel Pearl.

The Washington Post newspaper quotes Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf as repeating accusations that Indian intelligence agencies may have had a hand in Mr. Pearl's abduction.

(prev,ap,afp,wpost)

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