Although Indian police have not made much headway in uncovering Abdul Karim Tunda’s alleged role in Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), they claim to have exposed the so-called LeT-ISI linkages in smuggling counterfeit currency into India.
Tunda, who was to be sent on 14-day judicial remand on Saturday, had to be taken to hospital following complaints that he was suffering from a stomach ache. He has been admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) under heavy security and doctors are putting him through a battery of tests relating to cardiac problems.
But investigating agencies, based on leads obtained from Tunda in the course of his interrogation, have over the last two days arrested two persons deeply involved in the currency racket, sources said.
Mohammad Abdul Bashir, 30, was picked up late Friday from Bihar’s Katihar district, which is on the India-Nepal border, a favourite route of currency smugglers because of the border’s porous nature.
Official sources described Bashir as a ‘critical cog’ in the network that allegedly financed the LeT. Tunda’s relative Taher – supposedly his father in law – has also been Bashir’s associate.
Another Tunda associate Muhammad Alauddin, 55, was nabbed from neighbouring West Bengal on Wednesday, also a critical element in the FICN network, according to the officials.
The LeT’s top leadership used Tunda to run its illegal currency racket as a way to recruit persons into the network and would procure the FICN from an allegedly Pakistan-based FICN kingpin, Iqbal Kana, Indian officials say. Indians claim that Tunda, during interrogation, had already confessed to his hand in circulating the banknotes.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 25th, 2013.
COMMENTS (30)
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@Asif Butt: "@Asif Butt Care to explain this “REAL Pakistani side”?"
Follow who I replied to , and what s/he had written. That will suffice as a reply to what you ask.
@Asif Butt Care to explain this "REAL Pakistani side"?
@Dr.Shafique: Dr Shafique you have very precisely and pointedly said what I have always tried to say. Thanks very much. I have also noted that editorial boards of Express Tribune, Dawn, and many English news papers and writers in Pakistan are saying exactly the same from a long time in their own way. However when I read majority of comments on discussion boards I feel that people of Pakistan are not yet convinced of the facts you have so clearly placed. I hope some day we together will realize the importance of our coming together and becoming a world force. Regards.
@Saleem: But Pakistani society holds the exclusive right on conspiracy theory which has been and is being reflected frequently before the global audience.
@Saleem: But Pakistani society ( a particular segment) holds the exclusive right on the conspiracy theories and the innovation is reflected in the comment.
@Alann: Quid pro quo. May be then we can come to some understanding.
@Alann: The day you start to analyze things from the REAL Pakistani side , will be the day when you know what things to talk about and what not.
Until then , I am all patience. No problem, vomit whatever you have to. Most welcome.
Hamid Gul and the likes in Pakistan, and even many TV anchors including Talat Hussein have repeatedly claimed that no Pakistani can have a name as Kasab or Tunda. I have watched many times in Pakistani TV show "Hasb-E-Haal" where the co-host of the show, Sohail Ahmed (popularly known as Azizi) has mentioned many times of two of his neighborhood friends. One is "Alu Grenade" and another is "Neema Kanchi". These are not their real names but their nick names and they are popularly referred to by their nick names, just like Sohail Ahmed himself who is better knows Azizi.
The whole world knows as to these outfits and their agendas and yet Pakistan needs "Proof, Evidence" etc..... I did not see any of these in the pending cases where hundreds of people have disappeared or killed in Pakistan ! Such double standards , No wonder that Global Community simply does not believe anything that Pakistan says anymore.
@Mirza:
What is particularly sad and very distressing is the fact that even decent and peace-loving Pakistanis get a bad name and are viewed as potential terrorists whenever they step out of the country. Even Muslim nations - let alone the West - tend to look upon Pakistanis with deep suspicion and resentment, thanks to the terrorists that are being sheltered and promoted on Pakistani soil. The world no longer makes a difference between anti-India terrorists (which Pakistan has harboured) and terrorists per se -- terrorists are evil people who harm Pakistan's interests. Terrorism MUST be eradicated from Pakistan and the world to save humanity. Terrorists killing in the name of religion are savages and inhuman. Why don't Pakistanis (by which I mean the common people or the public and not the politicians and others with vested interests) start a movement against terrorism and voice their strong opposition against violent extremism (similar to the one started in Northern Ireland by the womenfolk!) and see how these cowards run like headless chickens. We need friendship, particularly, with India which is not only our direct neighbour but also a big market for Pakistani goods and shares similar cultural traits like Pakistan. Together with India, we could be a world power and a force to reckon with. We have more in common with India than any other country in our neighbourhood. And, for God's sake, let us stop pretending to be descendents of some "superior" Arab or Middle Eastern race which is ethnically, cultural and morally untrue and absurd. Our military dictators, politicians and mullahs have fed us this fantasy and other staple of lies for 65 years; it is time that intelligent, nation-building Pakistanis took charge of the situation and not let their fate be guided by destructive elements who have only their own selfish interest at heart.
Asif Butt: "Behold , Indias new web of dramas. I am fed up of these neighbors , peace or no peace , they are not worthy of any relations."
Would be better if you look at these incidents from the "other side" too. Indian newspapers have also posted an article of Tunda confirming Dawood Ibrahim's presence in Pakistan - not that it was a surprise though, as everyone knows where he lives. Many articles that are published on Indian websites which are directly or indirectly related to Pakistan don't get published on Pakistani websites. And whenever they do, some portions are omitted so the public usually don't get the whole picture. Anyway, Tunda is responsible for not only plotting against India, but he is also responsible for ruining lives of many Pakistani youth. You need to stop looking at India as an enemy. Today's condition of Pakistan is (to some extent) related to India but not because of India - rather, it is because of portraying Indian as an aggresive country all along and planning accordingly, which went terribly wrong and backfired. Try to analyse things from the Indian side and you will know why India retaliates on the LoC or why India blames Pakistan when militants infiltrate into India.
'Tunda's network leads to LeT'. LeT's network will lead to I**.
Everyone knows the main Headquarters !
@Saleem: So when are you going to stop it.
"Although Indian police have not made much headway in uncovering Abdul Karim Tunda’s alleged role in Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)" author don't slice news about Tunda if you interested first go through the indian news portals and check.I know its pathetic to publish actual news but still try to be honest. if you peoples have any confusion then go & ask Tunda he will tell you the role of pakistan/isi. he is 30 years experienced terrorist so you can't ignore him.
Another feather in Pakistan's cap.
is sunrise in the east? pakistanis answer - its funny, never.
Pakistan/isi has been accused by India for pushing fake Indian currency in India for decades now.
ET is this an Indian new channel ? Why can't you provide the complete true details.
Behold , Indias new web of dramas.
I am fed up of these neighbors , peace or no peace , they are not worthy of any relations.
@huzaifa:
No we don't need any detailed report on Raw and other agencies, since the newspapers of Pakistan have the direct number of Taliban who are ready to take the responsibility of every act of terrorism in Pakistan and our media is there to confirm it.
I am sure that indian govt would also find ISI behind the decline of indian rupee. Infact they are also behind the stock market bearish performance. The suspects of Delhi rape were also breathing in the wind blowing from Lahore and ISI and put chemicals to alter there actions. Bravo Indian investigators.
Indian police is funny. Only a fool would take their allegations seriously.
ET seems to be fast becoming more of a mouthpiece for Indian versions of the story.. Probably in order to boost its popularity among the Indian readers. (And pretty sure that this comment is not going to be published).
LeT and other charges, let the facts come out. But we in India are fully in the knowledge that huge amount of fake currency printed in Pakistan is smuggled through Nepal in India. This is part of the strategic policy of "thousand cuts to bleed the enemy" Lots of determination, guts, patience and above all prudence is required to normalize our relations. If we fail the result will be that both of us will bleed to death. AND the whites and yellows will dance on our "mayyat ke zanaje"
ET! Excellent coverage of the issue, we the readers also want good investigative reports on RAW and it's affiliated networks creating havoc in Pakistan.
Why would someone so old,colour their beard that shade ...doesn't do much for his aesthetic appeal
What ET is trying to prove here? And how it's funded is the bigger question.
Yeh we knew where the bollywood drama was going to head! LOL keep up the entertainment you guys..
This terrorist lost his one hand with his own explosive yet he did not stop there. Not only these fanatic terrorists are illiterate but their names Tunda, Kana give the whole picture. Shameful that 70 years old are involved in such activities.
And we will predictably hit a roadblock with Iqbal qana because no investigations will be carried out on the other side of the border. While pakistani politicians are still embroiled in the good taliban bad taliban debate, true change will come only when they resolve to fight all sorts of terrorism - especially the one targeted at India. Will that day come? Not in our lifetimes.