Indian agencies are rejoicing over statements made by 26/11 accused David Headley, but they also know that the task ahead, especially for the interrogators, is not easy.
There are names such as Major Iqbal, Samir Ali, Sajid Mir -- and of others, which have cropped up repeatedly during Headley's trial -- these names will be prominent in the days to come. Indian agencies have always maintained that they had no expectations from Pakistan about information on these persons.
Sajid Mir's case is a typical example. He is the man who was arrested in Pakistan post 26/11, but later released on the pretext that the security agencies had caught the wrong man.
The events relating to Mir are very interesting, since it shows that the entire exercise was stage-managed in order to give the 'real Sajid Mir' a cover to get under the radar, which it seems, he has successfully managed to do so.
Pakistan now maintains that the only Mir in Pakistan is a cleric, and has nothing remotely to do with the Inter-Services Intelligence or the army. Sources said that there are lengthy documents and testimonies relating to Mir, but the identity will never be known unless Pakistan decides to help.
With this trial underway, the pressure on the ISI is expected to increase, but for the rest of the world, its almost certain that the real persons will never come to the forefront.
For instance, take all the names that have been mentioned above. These are not some ordinary Lashkar-e-Tayiba gunmen or operatives, but very important personnel in the establishment.
Major Iqbal and Samir Ali have been associated both with the Pakistan Army and the ISI for nearly a decade. They specialise in logistics and provide training to cadres. Mir too, has been closely associated with both the army and the ISI and has carried out many operations.
Unlike other operatives who have to follow a long chain of command, these men had direct access to whatever they needed to carry out the operation. The Indian intelligence had pointed out Mir was such a man who was just told to do a job without any questions asked.
So impressed were they with him that they put him in charge of handling foreign operatives, and that is how he came in touch with Headley in the first place.
Although Rana and Headley may take their names some more during the trial, the task of bringing them to book would be next to impossible.
Pakistan will try and make sure that these men do not fall into the hands of any other intelligence agency. Putting them in front is as good as declaring that the ISI is a terrorist outfit.
Also, Pakistan would be very interested to keep these men hidden away.
The first demand that the Indian agencies would be made is for voice samples. More than the United States, it is important for India to have them, since the chargesheet has to have a mention of the role played by these men, and in order to establish the link, these samples are essential.
A source said that Pakistan would try and buy time, and wait for the matter to fizzle out.
Pakistan had earlier said that they would start their own investigation, but so far, we haven't seen any progress on that front. They have also not fulfilled their commitment of providing voice samples to India.
From what we can see, is that the ongoing trial would only become an embarrassment for the ISI, but the source added that the agency would go to any lengths to safeguard their key men.
However Indian agencies say that they will go about their job and do their bit of interrogating Rana and also filing a chargesheet.
