In what is being viewed as a significant breakthrough into the complex network of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) investigations into the arrest of Mehrajuddin Wani alias Javed Ahmed Dand have revealed that he was ISI’s main pointperson in Kathmandu.
Though initially considered close to the Hizbul Mujahideen and United Jehad Council chief Syed Salahuddin, Dand under ISI’s guidance went on to develop good contacts with other key terror outfits like the LeT and JeM. But importantly, he is said to be very close to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and had been managing the D-company’s operations for fake currency and hawala network in the Indo-Nepal region.
Dand had been on the radar of intelligence agencies for quite some time and was finally picked up when he sneaked into India to visit his ailing mother. He was arrested by the state police from the Kishtwar region following a specific tip-off from Central intelligence agencies. On ISI’s instructions, Dand had played a key role in the hijacking of the Indian Airlines flight IC-814 from Kathmandu in 1999. During questioning, Dand has disclosed that a diplomat of an embassy in Kathmandu was also “actively involved” in the IC-814 hijack. He further revealed that he continued to get support from the staff of a diplomatic mission in Kathmandu for his anti-India operations. The intelligence agencies are investigating this aspect.
Sources said there was a possibility that this particular case might be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) considering its largescale ramifications.
“Mehrajuddin (Dand) was a key link between ISI and Dawood Ibrahim considering his close proximity to both. So he was the main operative for them in Kathmandu pumping in fake currency and hawala money into India for terror activities. He has also given some details about his dealing with Dawood which is being investigated further,” a senior intelligence official said.
Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde said if the reports are confirmed then security agencies and the state police need to be complemented.