Zabiuddin Ansari
{{Short description|Lashkar-a-Taiba terrorist}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Sayed Zabiuddin
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1980|11|30}}
| birth_place = Georai, Maharashtra, India
| organization = Lashkar-e-Taiba
Indian Mujahideen
| death_date =
| death_place =
| resting_place =
| nationality = Indian
| occupation = Islamic militant
| years_active =
| successor =
| spouse =
| children =
| module =
}}
Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari {{aka}} Abu Hamza or Abu Jundal (born 30 November 1980) is an Indian Islamic militant belonging to Indian Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Zabiuddin Ansari's name was featured in the list of "50 most wanted criminals sheltered in Pakistan" released by India on 21 May 2011.{{cite news|title=India releases BS of 50 'most wanted fugitives' in Pak|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-releases-list-of-50-most-wanted-fugitives-in-Pak/articleshow/8243293.cms|access-date=25 June 2012|date=12 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705155413/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-11/india/29532084_1_hafiz-saeed-fugitives-paramjit-singh-panjwar|url-status=live|work=The Times of India|archive-date=2012-07-05}}{{cite news|title=India's most-wanted terrorists|url=http://www.sify.com/news/India-s-most-wanted-terrorists-imagegallery-national-lfmrEchhceh.html?html=5|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422210000/http://www.sify.com/news/India-s-most-wanted-terrorists-imagegallery-national-lfmrEchhceh.html?html=5|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 April 2015|access-date=25 June 2012|newspaper=Sify News|date=12 May 2011}} He served as the handler of the 10 LeT terrorists during 2008 Mumbai attacks.
He was a suspect in several cases such as the Kalupur station blast case of 9 February 2006 and an accomplice in the 2010 Pune bombing case.{{cite news|title=Abu Jundal carried out 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks with Pakistan help: Chidambaram|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Abu-Jundal-carried-out-26/11-Mumbai-terror-attacks-with-Pakistan-help-Chidambaram/articleshow/14504406.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126054236/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-29/india/32471652_1_syed-zabiuddin-alias-control-room-security-agencies|url-status=live|archive-date=26 January 2013|access-date=29 June 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|date=29 June 2012}}[https://archive.today/20130103075043/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-02-19/india/27809475_1_blast-powerful-bomb-explosion-ahmedabad 25 injured in Ahmedabad station blast], TNN 19 Feb 2006, AHMEDABAD, timesofindia.indiatimes.com[http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_abu-jundal-brought-to-ahmedabad-in-2006-train-blast-case_1754752 Abu Jundal brought to Ahmedabad in 2006 train blast case, Sunday, 21 Oct 2012, Ahmedabad, PTI, dnaindia.com] He was deported from Saudi Arabia on 25 June 2012 and was in the custody of Indian security agencies.{{cite news|title=Mumbai attacks 'planner' questioned|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-18589785|access-date=28 June 2012|newspaper=BBC News|date=26 June 2012}} On 2 August 2016, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in relation to the arms haul case by the special MCOCA court.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2006-Aurangabad-arms-haul-case-Abu-Jundal-six-others-sentenced-for-life/articleshow/53500736.cms | title=2006 Aurangabad arms haul case: Abu Jundal, six others sentenced for life | work=Times of India | date=2 August 2016 | access-date=2 August 2016 | author=Rebecca Samervel}}
Early life
Zabiuddin was born on 30 November 1980 in a village Hathi Khana mohalla in Georai area of Beed district in Maharashtra in western India.{{cite news|title=Why no one in Beed knows Zabiuddin|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-why-no-one-in-beed-knows-zabiuddin/20100209.htm|access-date=26 June 2012|newspaper=Rediff News|date=9 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072917/http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-why-no-one-in-beed-knows-zabiuddin/20100209.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}} His father Syed Zakiuddin had worked as an insurance agent.{{cite news|title=Syed Zabiuddin, the Indian face behind 26/11|url=http://news.rediff.com/report/2010/feb/02/anniversary-26-11-syed-zabiuddin-indian-face-behind-attacks.htm|access-date=26 June 2012|newspaper=Rediff News|date=2 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206005951/http://news.rediff.com/report/2010/feb/02/anniversary-26-11-syed-zabiuddin-indian-face-behind-attacks.htm|archive-date=6 February 2010|url-status=live}} Syed Zakiuddin's family consists of five sisters and one son, Zabiuddin. Zabiuddin had studied in Urdu up to Class X in Georai and joined Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Beed.{{cite news|last=Chauhan|first=Neeraj|title=Abu Jundal was plotting new attack, recruiting terrorists for LeT|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Abu-Jundal-was-plotting-new-attack-recruiting-terrorists-for-LeT/articleshow/14399052.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103071920/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-26/india/32423827_1_abu-jundal-jama-masjid-attack-lashkar|url-status=live|archive-date=3 January 2013|access-date=26 June 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|date=26 June 2012}}
He was arrested by the Indian police in Maharashtra in 2003 for stabbing and attempting to immolate a woman, with whom his family was entrenched in a marital dispute. Subsequently, he was sent to jail but was bailed on conditions of appearing at the relevant court hearings. He never returned for the proceedings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/26-11-abu-jundal-first-arrest-107201-2012-06-27|title=26/11 handler Jundal first arrested in 2003 in domestic case|website=India Today|date=27 June 2012 |language=en|access-date=2019-02-22}}
Ansari moved to Pakistan after his college. He married in 2009 to a Pakistani woman and has a son in Pakistan.[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/abu-jundal-wanted-all-over-for-strikes-everywhere/968080/0 Abu Jundal: Wanted all over for strikes everywhere], Shalini Narayan, New Delhi, Fri 29 Jun 2012, indianexpress.com The Pakistani passport he used, showed him as a resident of Sheikhpura in Pakistan's Punjab province.{{cite news|title=Pak passport of Jundal shows him as a resident of Punjab|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-03/india/32522801_1_pak-passport-abu-jundal-travel-document|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130208090130/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-03/india/32522801_1_pak-passport-abu-jundal-travel-document|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 February 2013|access-date=3 July 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|date=3 July 2012}}
Militancy
Zabiuddin trained for terrorism in Pakistan in the 2000s and recruited for Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Indian Mujahideen.
Zabiuddin was introduced into LeT by a senior in college Fayaz Kagazi, who is suspected to be in Saudi Arabia. Fayaz also sent him for training to assemble bombs. He narrowly escaped an arrest in 2006 and reached Pakistan via Bangladesh.
Zabiuddin had lived in Pakistan for sometime after which he moved to Saudi Arabia where he worked as a teacher. He had been missing since 2005 and is known to have used at least ten aliases.
The central security agencies of India interrogated many terrorists to find his location. From these interrogations it was known that he worked at terrorist camps near Karachi and Pakistan administered Kashmir.
Mumbai attacks
{{Main|2008 Mumbai attacks}}
Zabiuddin was the Hindi tutor and handler of the 10 terrorists responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks that claimed 166 lives. Zabiuddin is believed to be one of the four LeT men who had come to send off Ajmal Kasab and nine other terrorists from Karachi a week prior they went to Mumbai.{{cite news|last=Ali|first=S. Ahmed|title=Jundal deported from Saudi Arabia?|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-25/mumbai/32407767_1_ib-jundal-delhi-airport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103102046/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-25/mumbai/32407767_1_ib-jundal-delhi-airport|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 November 2013|access-date=25 June 2012|date=25 June 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|agency=TNN}}
Investigators allege that Zabiuddin Ansari was present in Lashkar’s Karachi based control room during the Mumbai attack.{{cite news|last=Swami|first=Praveen|title=Zabiuddin arrest opens doors for 26/11 probe|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3568185.ece?homepage=true|access-date=25 June 2012|newspaper=the Hindu|date=25 June 2012}}
Zabiuddin has claimed after his arrest that LeT chief Hafiz Saeed was also present in the LeT control room from where they had directed the Mumbai attack terrorist incident. Zabiuddin additionally claimed that ISI and Pakistani army officials helped plan the Mumbai attacks.{{cite news|title=Saudis helped India nab 26/11 handler Abu Jundal|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Saudi-Arabia-helped-India-nab-26/11-handler-Abu-Jundal/articleshow/14396009.cms|access-date=25 June 2012|date=25 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626015411/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Saudis-helped-India-nab-26/11-handler-Abu-Jundal/articleshow/14396009.cms|archive-date=26 June 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|url-status=live}} According to him, those present at the control room later celebrated the terrorist attack. The control room was later destroyed by ISI in 2008.[https://archive.today/20130103075057/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-27/india/32440860_1_abu-jundal-control-room-lashkar At the end of 26/11 terror attacks, Karachi control room wore a celebratory look: Abu Jundal], TNN 27 Jun 2012, timesofindia.indiatimes.com[http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/isi-destroyed-26-11-control-room-in-karachi-after-zaki-ur-rehman-lakhvi-s-arrest-abu-jundal-236977 ISI destroyed 26/11 control room in Karachi after Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi's arrest: Abu Jundal], Surabhi Malik, Prasad Sanyal, 28 June 2012, ndtv.com
According to him, the coordinated attacks were previously scheduled for 2006, using Indian youth for the job. However, a huge cache of AK-47s and RDX, which were to be used for the attacks, was recovered from Aurangabad in 2006 thus leading to the dis mantling of the original plot. Subsequently, Abu Hamza fled to Pakistan and along with Lashkar commanders, scouted for Pakistani youth for the attacks. In September 2007, ten people were selected for the mission. In September 2008, these ten terrorists tried sailing to Mumbai from Karachi, but failed to complete their mission due to choppy waters. The LeT terrorists tried again in November 2008 and managed to execute the final attacks.{{cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/26-11-had-been-planned-originally-for-2006-reveals-abu-hamza-236374|title=26/11 had been planned originally for 2006, reveals Abu Hamza|publisher=NDTV|date=26 June 2012| access-date=26 June 2012}}{{cite news|title=Key 26/11 terrorist arrested|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3568185.ece?homepage=true|access-date=25 June 2012|newspaper=The Hindu|date=25 June 2012}}
Arrest
Security agencies had been chasing him for 3 years in Delhi.{{cite news| url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Key-Mumbai-terror-attack-handler-arrested-in-Delhi/articleshow/14384313.cms| archive-url= https://archive.today/20130126031920/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-25/india/32408183_1_ansari-hindi-tutor-terrorists| url-status= live| archive-date= 26 January 2013| work= The Times of India| title= Key Mumbai terror attack handler arrested in Delhi| date=25 June 2012}} A terrorist who was arrested by Indian security agencies in connection with the 2010 Jama Masjid attack gave a tip about him being in Saudi Arabia.{{cite news |last=Press Trust of India |date=25 June 2012 |title=Abu Jundal admits role in 26/11 attack, links with ISI |newspaper=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Abu-Jundal-admits-role-in-26/11-attack-links-with-ISI/articleshow/14390723.cms |url-status=live |access-date=25 June 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127015715/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-25/india/32407890_1_abu-jundal-terror-cases-isi-officer |archive-date=27 January 2013}} Intelligence agencies, including western agencies, zoomed in on Ansari's location after he set up a website for recruiting youth for Lashkar under an alias Kaasif. This alias was known as one used by Ansari to the Indian intelligence agencies. Also, the US agencies noticed a high traffic between Ansari's website and other jihadi websites they were monitoring, and they asked Saudi intelligence to detain Ansari.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Choice-of-alias-while-launching-website-gave-Abu-Jundal-away/articleshow/14478484.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126050827/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-29/india/32471962_1_abu-jundal-intelligence-agencies-mahmoud-mohammad-ahmed-bahaziq|url-status=live|archive-date=26 January 2013|work=The Times of India|title=Choice of alias while launching website gave Abu Jundal away|date=28 June 2012}}[https://archive.today/20130103071920/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-26/india/32423827_1_abu-jundal-jama-masjid-attack-lashkar Abu Jundal was plotting new attack, recruiting terrorists for LeT], Neeraj Chauhan, TNN, 26 Jun 2012, indiatimes.com
The arrest of Abu Jundal could be more significant than that of Ajmal Kasab as Jundal was amongst six main planners of the attacks. His evidence could have more credibility because of his presence in Pakistan. Investigation has confirmed some state support during the attacks when Abu Jundal and others from a control room in Karachi gave orders to 10 attackers.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120629073409/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/2611-jindal-could-be-more-crucial-than-kasab/268050-3.html 26/11 case: Abu Jindal could be more crucial than Ajmal Kasab], CNN-IBN, 26 Jun 2012, ibnlive.in.com[http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/why-abu-jundal-is-a-bigger-catch-than-kasab_783959.html Why Abu Jundal is a bigger catch than Kasab...], Deepak Nagpal, Wednesday, 27 June 2012, zeenews.india.com[http://www.rediff.com/news/column/the-possible-diplomatic-impact-of-abu-jundals-arrest/20120626.htm The possible diplomatic impact of Abu Jundal's arrest], B Raman, 26 June 2012, rediff.com[https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/28/world/asia/india-says-pakistan-aided-abu-jindal-in-mumbai-attacks.html India Says Pakistan Aided Planner of Mumbai Attacks], HARI KUMAR, NEW DELHI, 27 June 2012, nytimes.com
=Diplomatic negotiations=
Initial attempts to get Zabiuddin into custody had failed because, although a native of Beed in Maharashtra, he used a Pakistani passport to travel to Saudi Arabia, under the alias Riyasat Ali. The passport also showed his father's name as Mohammed Khushi and residence as to Sheikhupura in Punjab, Pakistan. According to the Indian home ministry, Pakistan’s ISI pressured Saudi Arabia for months to prevent Jundal being handed over to India.{{cite news |date=26 June 2012 |title=DNA test, hard bargain with Saudi nets 26/11 prized catch |newspaper=hindustan Times |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/DNA-test-hard-bargain-with-Saudi-nets-26-11-prized-catch/Article1-878563.aspx |url-status=dead |access-date=26 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625225249/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/DNA-test-hard-bargain-with-Saudi-nets-26-11-prized-catch/Article1-878563.aspx |archive-date=25 June 2012}}[http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/abu-hamza-was-in-saudi-arabia-to-gather-funds-for-big-terror-strike-pakistan-tried-to-prevent-his-ex-235989 Abu Hamza was in Saudi Arabia to gather funds for big terror strike; Pakistan tried to prevent his extradition: Sources], Rashmi Rajput, Tanima Biswas, Surabhi Malik, 26 June 2012, ndtv.com
According to Indian Government sources, his arrest came after months of diplomatic negotiations involving authorities in Riyadh, Washington DC, and New Delhi. Intelligence Bureau director Nehchal Sandhu worked with Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, then director General of Saudi Intelligence agency Al Mukhabarat Al A'amah during the investigations. Indian and Saudi Intelligence services identified Ansari off of tapped phone calls.
=DNA identification=
DNA test was also used to establish his identity. The DNA test had matched and Saudi authorities were persuaded for handing him to India.[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/saudi-rejected-indian-dna-test-so-blood-sample-was-sent/968110/0 Saudi rejected Indian DNA test, so blood sample was sent], Pranab Samanta, New Delhi, Fri 29 Jun 2012, indianexpress.com{{cite news|title=DNA test, voice sample convinced Saudi of Jundal's nationality|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/DNA-test-voice-sample-convinced-Saudi-of-Jundals-nationality/articleshow/14420670.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126134427/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-27/india/32440025_1_abu-jundal-voice-samples-blood-samples|url-status=live|archive-date=26 January 2013|access-date=27 June 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|date=27 June 2012}}
=Deportation=
On 21 June 2012, the Intelligence Branch took custody of Abu Hamza alias Sayed Zabiuddin on his deportation from Saudi Arabia at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, and on 25 June 2012, formally handed him over to Delhi Police, that announced the arrest, for him to be produced at the New Delhi Court for trial. The arrest of Sayed Zabiuddin was touted as the most significant development in the 2008 Mumbai attacks case after Kasab's arrest.{{cite news|title=Key 26/11 conspirator Abu Hamza arrested at IGI airport in Delhi|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/key-2611-conspirator-abu-hamza-arrested-in-delhi/267741-3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627125422/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/key-2611-conspirator-abu-hamza-arrested-in-delhi/267741-3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 June 2012|access-date=25 June 2012|newspaper=IBN Live|date=25 June 2012}}
Interrogation
In July 2012, he was interrogated by several Indian security agencies for several cases of which he is accused.{{cite news|title=Abu Jundal given express treatment by Pakistani government|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/At-Ranthambore-National-Park-male-tigers-play-mother/articleshow/14659925.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529083848/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-04/jaipur/32536471_1_three-cubs-ranthambore-national-park-t-25|url-status=live|archive-date=29 May 2013|access-date=4 July 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|date=4 July 2012}}
=Pakistani passport and IDs=
Zabiuddin although being an Indian, held a Pakistani passport and two Pakistani identity cards, which pointed towards Pakistan's involvement.{{cite news|last=PTI|title=India won't share information on Abu Jundal with Pakistan, NIA seeks his custody|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-28/india/32456487_1_abu-jundal-nia-investigation-agency|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126053025/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-28/india/32456487_1_abu-jundal-nia-investigation-agency|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 January 2013|access-date=28 June 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|date=28 June 2012}} One of the two Pakistani identity cards provided to him was for internal use in Pakistan while the other was to be used outside Pakistan. His Pakistani passport was issued under the name Riyasat Ali.{{cite news|title=Abu Jundal escaped arrest in Pakistan at ISI's behest|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-29/india/32472185_1_abu-jundal-major-iqbal-pakistan-army|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113023929/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-29/india/32472185_1_abu-jundal-major-iqbal-pakistan-army|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 November 2013|access-date=28 June 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|date=29 June 2012}}
The documents had mentioned his address at a place close to Muridke, where the Lashkar-e-Taiba headquarters is situated. However, Pakistan has strongly rejected any insinuation of involvement by state actors in any acts of militancy in India.{{cite news|title=Islamabad rejects its role in Mumbai attacks|newspaper=News Pakistan|url=http://www.newspakistan.pk/2012/07/05/islamabad-rejects-role-mumbai-attacks/|access-date=2012-07-06}} Pakistani Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani while on a visit to India offered a joint investigation into Mumbai attacks.{{cite web|title=Islamabad rejects its role in Mumbai attacks|work= NewsPakistan|date= 5 July 2012| url = http://www.newspakistan.pk/2012/07/05/islamabad-rejects-role-mumbai-attacks/ | access-date = 2012-07-06 }}
=The Karachi Control Room =
According to Indian government, the Karachi control room was created by Pakistani intelligence agency I.S.I. along with Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan to monitor a Mumbai attack. Accordingly, the Delhi Police has registered a criminal case of conspiracy to launch another terror attack on India.[https://archive.today/20130126035210/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-22/india/32787891_1_indian-agencies-pune-s-german-bakery-indian-nationals ‘Project Karachi’ still a threat to India, reveals 26/11 plotter Jundal], Raj Shekhar, TNN, 22 Jul 2012, indiatimes.com[http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/The+Karachi+project/1/84662.html The Karachi project], Sandeep Unnithan, 18 February 2010, intoday.in[http://news.in.msn.com/internalsecurity/news/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3739896&page=0 Karachi Project: A nefarious plan to destabilize India] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019170534/http://news.in.msn.com/internalsecurity/news/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3739896 |date=19 October 2012 }}, Raj Narayan, India Syndicate, 28/03/2010, news.in.msn.com
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{external media|
| width = 400px
| audio1=[http://www.thehindu.com/news/resources/article3568903.ece 26/11 tape: Zabiuddin Ansari briefing the terrorists at Chabad House, Nariman Point, Mumbai] from The Hindu retrieved on 25 June 2012
}}
{{2008 Mumbai attacks}}
{{PakistaniTerrorism}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ansari, Zabiuddin}}
Category:Indian Mujahideen members
Category:People from Beed district
Category:Lashkar-e-Taiba members
Category:Indian emigrants to Pakistan
Category:Indian expatriates in Saudi Arabia
Category:Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment by India
Category:Participants in the 2008 Mumbai attacks
Category:Fugitives wanted by India
Category:Fugitives wanted on terrorism charges
Category:Indian people imprisoned on terrorism charges
Category:Indian prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment