Terror ‘plotter’ stayed in Hyderabad-ToI-23.11.11

Alleged To Have Shared Sensitive Defence Information With Pak Army

Srinath Vudali TNN 

Hyderabad: Terror suspect and former Indian Air Force (IAF) spy Mohammed Abbas stayed in the city for several months in 2005 for planning subversive activities here with the support of Mujeeb Ahmed, who was allegedly involved in the murder of additional superintendent of police Krishna Prasad.
    During interrogation of Abbas, who was arrested a few days ago, the Central Crime Station (CCS) Special Investigation Team learnt that he came to Hyderabad on the instructions of Gulam Nabi Faridabad, who was the president of Jamiat-e-Islami of Jammu region, and members of Hizbul Mujahideen.
    “On the instructions of Gulam Nabi, Abbas met Mujeeb Ahmed in the city, who gave him shelter near Golconda Fort. Mujeeb assigned to Abbas the task of procuring weapons from the Pakistan embassy in Nepal using his contacts with Pakistani military officials. Mujeeb Ahmed wanted weapons to carry out terror activities in Hyderabad,” sources in the Hyderabad police said.
    Abbas, who was a craftsman at the Air Traffic Control in Srinagar, was courtmartialled and later given amnesty.
    He is alleged to have shared sensitive defence information with the Pakistan Army during his five visits to the neighbouring country.
    “During one of his visits to Pakistan, Abbas saw a James Bond movie with Pakistani Army officials. They reportedly asked Abbas to get the photocopy of the War Plan. However, Abbas failed to access the file,” the sources added.
    He developed contacts with Pakistani officials through the references given by Gulam Mohinuddin, who ran a canteen near ATC, Srinagar. Interestingly, Abbas, who was expecting financial benefits in return, was duped by Pakistani officials.
    On one occasion, Abbas was given Rs 1,400 to go back to India by the Pakistan embassy officials in Bangladesh after he passed on important information to them.
    “This made him look for other means of livelihood, including starting a business, but Abbas never completely gave up his contacts with the Pakistani army establishment. During the interrogation, we came to know that Abbas was involved in the railway recruitment scam by helping at least 10 persons secure jobs without giving the examination in Bangalore,” the SIT sleuths said.
    The information about the railway recruitment scam was passed on to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Hyderabad police.