Top
US intel official in Capital; reviews Mumbai terror probe
New Delhi, Dec 22, 2008
A top US Intelligence official on Monday held series of meetings
with Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and senior officials during
when the progress in investigations into the Mumbai terror attacks
was reviewed.
Director of National Intelligence John Michel McConnell, who flew
into the Capital, is also believed to have met National Security
Advisor M K Narayanan and discussed issues relating to evidence
gathered so far in the probe in the 26/11 terror strikes, official
sources said.
The sources said McConnell had a 30-minute long meeting with the
Union Home Minister during which the two sides touched upon the
progress in the probe into the terror strikes at the country's financial
capital.
US Ambassador David C Mulford was also present at the meeting.
Director of National Intelligence (DNI) is considered to be the
most powerful intelligence official of the United States government
under direct command and control of the US President and reports
to him only.
The role of the DNI is to effectively integrate foreign, military
and domestic intelligence in defence of the homeland and of the
US's interests abroad from its 16 spy agencies.
McConnell later met investigating officials including those from
the US' Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI) who are probing the
Mumbai attacks, the sources said.
The US Intelligence head also met India's Intelligence chiefs and
discussed the evidence gathered during the probe.
DNI came into existence after the audacious 9/11 attacks in the
US.
India is hoping to benefit from DNI's experiences in countering
terrorism while it was formulating the policies for a proposed National
Investigating Agency, a bill for which was cleared by Parliament.
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