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The scheduled visit of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) chief Robert S Mueller to Delhi on Wednesday has been called off, according to official sources.
Though no reason has been given for the change in plans, the engagement of the US administration with the hectic developments after the killing of Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, is believed to be the reason, sources said.
Bin Laden was the world’s most wanted terrorist and was hunted and killed in a daring attack by US security forces in a fortified Abbottabad mansion, 120 km from Islamabad. Sources said the visit is likely to be scheduled later in the year. Mueller, who became the FBI chief in 2001, is due to retire in September.
According to official sources, Mueller, during his visit, was likely to provide details to top government functionaries of the investigations into the role of Pakistani American David Headley Coleman and Tahawwur Rana in the 26/11 terror strike conspiracy.
Headley and Rana were alleged to have links with the Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT). Headley and Rana, who are facing trial in the US, had visited India a number of times in the two years before the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in 2008, in which over 160 people were killed.
Mueller was to meet Home Minister P. Chidambaram, National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon and other top security officials.
Sources said the FBI team was also expected to provide detailed information about the probe into the latest activities of the LeT.
Though no reason has been given for the change in plans, the engagement of the US administration with the hectic developments after the killing of Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, is believed to be the reason, sources said.
Bin Laden was the world’s most wanted terrorist and was hunted and killed in a daring attack by US security forces in a fortified Abbottabad mansion, 120 km from Islamabad. Sources said the visit is likely to be scheduled later in the year. Mueller, who became the FBI chief in 2001, is due to retire in September.
According to official sources, Mueller, during his visit, was likely to provide details to top government functionaries of the investigations into the role of Pakistani American David Headley Coleman and Tahawwur Rana in the 26/11 terror strike conspiracy.
Headley and Rana were alleged to have links with the Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT). Headley and Rana, who are facing trial in the US, had visited India a number of times in the two years before the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in 2008, in which over 160 people were killed.
Mueller was to meet Home Minister P. Chidambaram, National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon and other top security officials.
Sources said the FBI team was also expected to provide detailed information about the probe into the latest activities of the LeT.
