New Delhi: With investigators identifying three Iranians as suspects in the terrorist attack on an Israeli diplomat, India is seeking Iran`s cooperation in bringing those involved in the dastardly attack to justice.

However, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) refused to draw any conclusion, saying investigations in the case are ongoing.
"On the basis of thorough and carefully undertaken investigations, three Iranians have been identified by the investigating authorities as suspects in the terrorist attack on an Israeli diplomat in New Delhi on February 13, 2012," official spokesperson in the MEA Syed Akbaruddin said.

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He said warrants of arrest against these persons have been issued and the process of issue of red corner notices has been initiated but maintained that "investigations in the case are on and no conclusions can be drawn at this stage".

"We have informed the Iranian Ambassador of these developments so as to seek the cooperation of the Iranian authorities in bringing those involved in this dastardly attack to justice," he said. Earlier, City Police Commissioner B K Gupta said the three Iranians -- Houshang Afshar Irani, Syed Ali Mahdiansadr and Mohammadreza Abolghasemi -- had done a recce of the Israeli Embassy earlier with the help of an Indian journalist Syed Mohd Ahmad Kasmi (50) who was arrested on March six. Investigators claimed they tracked Kasmi after finding his links with one of the Iranians who was in touch with the head of the module which carried out the attack in Bangkok.
Gupta said, "He (Kazmi) has been arrested as a facilitator and for being a part of the conspiracy. His questioning brought to light that he has been in contact with persons of Iranian origin involved in the attack for some time."
He said Kazmi has told police that he went to Iran twice in 2011 at the instance of Syed Ali Sadr Mehdian based in Tehran where he met Mehdian and one Mohammed Reza.

"On both the occasions he was asked to provide assistance in India to their associates as and when required. He was paid a sum of USD 5,500," the city police commissioner said.

Following their instructions, he said, Kazmi met Irani in Delhi and recceed the Israeli Embassy and its surrounding areas. "They used a Scooty procured by Irani for conducting recee. The matter of targeting Israeli diplomats through explosive devices was also discussed," Gupta said.
The two-wheeler, bought from Karol Bagh in the name of Irani, was kept at Kazmi`s residence for "safe keeping and for further use, if needed", he said.

"It must be stated that technical investigation have also clearly established telephonic contact between Kazmi and Irani," the official said.

Kazmi also allegedly told police that Mehdian along with Abolghasemi Mohammad Reza and Syed Abol Fazi came to Delhi.

"Kazmi along with Mehdian and Reza receeed the Israeli Embassy and the surrounding areas in Kazmi`s car. His associates were specifically interested in the vehicles and the routes used by the Israeli diplomats," Gupta said.

Asked how they could prove that Kazmi and Mehdian were linked, Gupta said, "the return ticket of Mehdian was booked by Kazmi and Documents to this effect has been seized from the concerned travel agency," he said.

It also came to light that Kazmi and his wife have been receiving foreign remittances regularly and till date his wife has received Rs 18,78,500 and Kazmi has received Rs 3.80 lakh as foreign remittances regarding which "there is no satisfactory explanation", Gupta said.

Police have already written to Enforcement Directorate for probing the source of foreign remittances.

Sources said two of the three Iranians, who had come to India in February, had left the country before the attack while one stayed back.

PTI