New Delhi, January 25
The Interpol on the request of the CBI has today issued a red-corner notice (RCN) against the mastermind and key suspect in the January 22 Kolkata shootout outside the US center, Aftab, alias Farhan Malik, believed to be in Dubai.

The premier Indian investigating agency had sent a request for the issue of the notice on the basis of Farhan’s telephone call traced by the West Bengal police to Dubai and also on the basis of a coroborative statement made by a Pakistani national, Asif Raza Khan, who was arrested in connection with the kidnap of a Kolkata-based business tycoon P.R. Burman regarding links of Aftab with the ISI, CBI sources told The Tribune.

The request for the notice was issued today by the CBI through the Interpol and it has already flashed look-out notice across the globe through its network.

The process for the issue of the notice was initiated by the CBI in September, 2001, soon after the kidnapping and the subsequent release of Mr Burman for a ransom of Rs 3.75 crore in which Aftab was the prime suspect, sources said, adding that the Interpol acted immediately and issued the notice after the CBI tagged on the evidence against Aftab regarding his involvement in the Kolkata incident.

Addressing a press conference in the evening Union Home Minister L.K. Advani confirmed about the notice by the CBI against Aftab and ruled out any investigation into the Kolkata incident by the FBI. “An RCN has been issued by the CBI,” he said.

On a question whether the FBI would be allowed to probe the Kolkata incident, Mr Advani said, “FBI has no role in the investigation. So far as happenings in India is concerned investigation into these are done by the state governments concerned and the Centre extends help only if needed.”

However, the Home Minister pointed out that after the September 11 attacks on the USA and the fight against the global terrorism “we have been sharing intelligence information”.

Mr Advani said as part of the intelligence input sharing the FBI made available the footage of the close circuit TV installed at the centre in Kolkata, but “the faces of the four motor cycle borne attackers are not visible”.

The Home Minister said the state government and the Central Government was working in tandem to nab the culprits.

Asked whether India had requested the UAE for the extradition of Farhan Malik, Mr Advani said the government was considering the appropriate request to be made to the UAE.