Indian authorities intensify probe of U.S. terror suspect with raids in Mumbai

NEW DELHI, Nov. 14 -- Intensifying its investigation into the possible involvement of U.S. terror suspect David Coleman Headley in the Mumbai attacks, the Indian Nation Investigating Agency (NIA) on Saturday carried out raids at several places in Mumbai.

According to sources in the Home Ministry, NIA raided places in Bandra, Goregaon and Khar in Mumbai along with Trident Oberoi Hotel.

During the Mumbai terror attacks last year, Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists had also attacked Trident-Oberoi besides Hotel Taj, Nariman House, Cama Hospital and Leopold Cafe.

The 49-year-old Headley was arrested last month at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport as he prepared to board a flight to Philadelphia, intending to travel to Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Director General of Police has formed a four-member team, on the directions of the state Home Ministry, to probe the alleged network of David Headley in the state. All the team members are said to be Indian Police Service (IPS) officers.

Earlier in the day, Mumbai Police had detained two tourist guides near the Gateway of India on suspicion of them having helped Mumbai attack plotters, including David Headley.

The duo is being investigated for assisting Headley in doing recce of Mumbai before last year's deadly terror attacks.

According to sources, Headley had conducted recce of the Nariman House where he posed as a Jew.

Earlier, investigations into Headley's involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks revealed that he had stayed in the Hotel Tajtwice in the year 2007.

Investigators are also probing the role of film director Mahesh Bhatt's son Rahul Bhatt who helped him in renting a flat near Breach Candy Hospital.

So far in the probe, Headley's network across seven cities has been exposed. Apart from Mumbai, Headley had a network in Pune, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Agra, Lucknow and New Delhi. He had stayed in Paharganj hotel during his stay in Delhi.

Headley had visited all these cities between 2006-09. Investigating agencies believed these visits of Headley to be recce before the terror attack.