EX-ISI chief denies he was Tunda’s handler

Lashkar-e-Toiba bomb expert Abdul Karim Tunda has told interrogators that he had come in contact with Pakistan's spy agency ISI after meeting its former chief Hamid Gul in 1995 and was in constant touch with him thereafter.

The 70-year-old terrorist has also disclosed that that ISI was the official arm which had several "tanzeems" (organizations) like LeT and Jamaat-udDawa under its umbrella. The handlers call these ‘tanzeems’ social organiza- tions.

Hamid Gul, who retired in 1989 as chief of the ISI, denied the allegations. Speaking to an Indian TV channel, Hamid Gul said, "I left ISI in June 1989 and retired from military service in 1992. I had nothing to do with

ISI in 1995. And ISI would never handle a man like Tunda. I don't recall and I have a good memory. No possibility that I met him ever." Delhi Police officials claim Tunda, a close aide of Dawood Ibrahim, had met Gul after reaching Pakistan via Saudi Arabia. Sources also said that Tunda had claimed that he was told to smuggle in fake Indian currency notes by the ISI. The spy agency used to provide him fake Indian currency through two officers -- Major Altaf and Major Tayyab. A few Brigadiers were also involved in the operations, the sources added. "Tunda has also told us that most of the current LeT operatives are Punjabis. They are paid a meagre sum of Rs 3000-Rs 4000 per month," said a senior police official. Tunda will be produced before a local court on Tuesday by the Delhi police which will seek his custody for further interrogation, the official said.