Mumbai: LeT operative Sayed Ansari alias Abu Jundal has told interrogators that 26/11 conspirator David Headley was introduced to him as "efficient operative" Dawood Khan by Lashkar-e-Taiba bosses during a terror training camp in Pakistan, police said on Sunday.
Jundal also stated that much importance was given to the suggestions of Headley by the LeT bosses, police claimed.
"When Jundal met Headley, he was told by the LeT men that his name was Dawood Khan. Jundal did not meet Headley often, but when Headley was arrested, he read his name in the newspaper and then he realised that his name is Headley," a police officer said.
As Jundal further checked Headley`s antecedents, he learnt that Headley`s real name is Dawood Gilani and he chose an English name to avoid suspicion on him from the security agencies, the officer said.
Headley was described as very efficient operative in the outfit and his suggestions were always taken into account very seriously, the officer said quoting Jundal.
Jundal was arrested in the 26/11 case on July 21 by Mumbai police after he was brought here from Delhi, where he was apprehended in another case. He is also wanted in other cases in Maharashtra like the arms haul case, the 2010 German Bakery blast and the plan to attack Nashik Police Academy.
However, his custody in these cases would take place after police interrogates him in the terror attack case.
In a Chicago court, Headley had pleaded guilty to 12 terrorism charges, including his involvement in the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai after which he was convicted.
Headley had conducted recce of the places during his visits to India since 2006.
On November 26, 2008, Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving Pakistani gunman who is now behind bars, and nine others had landed here by sea and gone on a shooting spree at various places including the Taj Mahal Hotel, Nariman House, Oberoi Hotel and CST railway station, killing 166 people.
PTI
