THE US authorities finally relented to the Indian pressure and allowed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to interrogate the 26/11 accused David Headley.

This will be for the first time that the American Lashker-e-Taiba terrorist David Headley who was born to a Pakistani father and whose earlier name was Dawood Gilani, will be facing direct questions from Indian investigators. But there is a lurking apprehension that Headley’s lawyers may put legal road blocks to the NIA team. Though the US government has agreed to unqualified access to Headley, the ground realities are not quite encouraging. Headley’s identity, whether he was undercover agent of CIA has been a major constraint. True speaking the NBIA is unlikely to get more information than what he had already told to the FBI investigators. In fact he had pleaded guilty on 12 counts, nine of which related to the terror attack on Mumbai so as to avoid being extradited to India and escape capital punishment. The NIA at best can question him on certain missing links in the 26/11 conspiracy. It is doubtful whether Headley will reveal the nature and purpose of his undercover trips to India. As revealing any further information would invariably put Headley in more trouble which his lawyers would never cherish. It is a known fact that Headley during his frequent visits to India had put in place a number of sleeper terror cells and incidentally this is not even known to other operators active in India. The most valuable revelation could be the name and identity of the Pakistani army officers who have been masterminding terror operations against India. But for this it is imperative that India should approach the US authorities for extradition of Headley. The possibility of the American Lashker-e-Taiba terrorist David Headley misleading the NIA interrogators cannot be ruled out. Since he has already confessed to his involvement in Mumbai attacks, the Indian investigators must pick up the thread from this point for a thorough probe. It is a perfect case for extradition. Government of India should make all possible efforts to get him extradited. As Headley has committed an offence against India, he should be extradited to India.