Major Iqbal identified by Headley as Chaudhery Khan

Chicago, May 25: US federal prosecutors have presented to a Chicago court additional evidences linking strong connection between David Headley, the Mumbai terror accused, and officials of the Pakistan's spy agency ISI.

Through records of several emails exhibited in the court federal prosecutors established beyond doubt that Headley was in constant contact with ISI officials, in particular Major Iqbal, and his handlers in Pakistan.

In one of the emails to Major Iqbal, said to be an ISI officer, Headley writes to him about the latest spying gadgets. In this email, Major Iqbal uses the ID of ''Chaudhery Khan''. Headley told the court that Chaudhery Khan was indeed Major Iqbal.

In this email dated April 23, 2008, Headley sends Chaudhery Khan information on commercially available spy cameras and pen spy cameras.

Deposing before the Chicago Court, Headley conceded that he met Major Iqbal several time before the Mumbai terror attacks during which he issued specific instructions on every step right from establishing an office in Mumbai, to recruiting retired military personnel, making surveillance, giving list of targets and closing the Mumbai office.

Headley told the court that Major Iqbal, his ISI handler, made key decisions and was indeed the mastermind of the plot.

"Major Iqbal told me the Chabad House would be added on whatever list (of targets) there was because it was a front office for the Mossad" - Israel's intelligence agency, Headley said, adding that Major Iqbal "seemed upset the (Mumbai) airport was not included" as a target.

PTI