MS NIRUPAMA RAO: Good evening and welcome to this evening’s pressconference with R.M. Abhyankar , Special Secretary (East), Ministry ofExternal Affairs; and Neeraj Kumar , Joint Director, Central Bureau ofInvestigation.
R.M. Abhyankar : I would like to confirm that the prime accused in theattack outside the American Centre in Kolkata on 22nd January is now in CBI’scustody. I will read out a Press Release which will be distributed to you assoon as I finish reading.
"Two Indian nationals, AFTAB ANSARI @ FARHAN ALI, the prime suspect in theattack outside the American Centre in Kolkata on January 22, 2002, and hisaccomplice RAJU SHARMA @ RAJENDER KUMAR ANADKOT were arrested in Delhi today,after their deportation from Dubai. AFTAB ANSARI is wanted for complicity inother criminal acts committed at the behest of terrorist organizations based inPakistan.
Their arrest has been made possible due to the close cooperation received fromthe Dubai authorities in tracing and apprehending them. At the time ofapprehension AFTAB ANSARI was in possession of Pakistani travel documents.
The Government of India greatly appreciates cooperation and support from theDubai authorities as well as the UAE government. Shri Jaswant Singh, ExternalAffairs Minister has thanked H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Makhtoom,Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence of UAE for the exceptional gesturein keeping with the traditional friendship between the two countries and theircommitment, in line with UNSC Resolution 1373, to fight international terrorismin all its forms and manifestations. The suspects are now in CBI custody forfurther investigation."