Key suspect held in Kolkata attack

The alleged mastermind behind the shooting attack in the Indian city of Kolkata was deported from the UAE yesterday and brought to the Indian capital New Delhi to face charges.

The suspect, Aftab Ahmed Ansari alias Farhan Malik and his associate Rajinder Kumar, were deported to India at 1 pm yesterday by a special aircraft.

"Authorities arrested and de-ported two suspected terrorists, Aftab Ahmed Khan and his associate Rajinder Kumar and handed them over to Indian officials," said the Indian Ambassador to the UAE KC Singh. "A special plane left the Gulf at 1 pm today carrying the two to India."

Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announcing the "breakthrough" at an election rally in Bijnor in the central Indian state of Uttar Pradesh earlier in the day said "I compliment the government."

Indian Foreign Minister Jas-want Singh has formally thanked the UAE government for their cooperation in a letter sent yesterday. Singh said, "By cooperating with Indian security officials and nabbing them, the UAE authorities have sent out a clear message that they have zero tolerance on terrorism."

Joint director of the Central Bureau of Investigation Neeraj Kumar who led the team of sleuths said Malik was being interrogated for his links with terrorists.