HM chief was worried over LeT suspect's arrest

Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin was disturbed by the arrest of Khurshid Ahmad, one of the three Jammu and Kashmir residents arrested for terrorist activities on January 6, since Khurshid was scheduled to visit Pakistan for training soon, sources said.

Police suspect that Khurshid was an important functionary in the Lashkar-e-Tayiba set up.

Intelligence gathered by Anti-Terrorist Squad of the Mumbai Police soon after Khurshid's arrest with two others - Arshad Badroo and Muhammed Ramzan, revealed that Salahuddin called up Haj House Imam Maulana Ghulam Yahya Khan Allah Baksh, who was arrested on January 14, on cell phone expressing concern about Khurshid.

The ATS also suspects that the Maulana's involvement in the terrorist activities was deep-rooted since he was in direct contact with Salahuddin from time to time, apart from giving shelter to the suspected ultras at Haj House.

Sources in the ATS said the Maulana was under watch for several days and was even questioned thrice about his links with LeT. Each time he was questioned, the Maulana was confronted with the material evidence gathered against him, including electronic surveillance.

"We were cautious (to act against the Maulana) since action against him would involve Haj House. We decided to arrest him the day we came across some clinching material evidence," a senior ATS official told PTI in Mumbai on Thursday, justifying Maulana's arrest.