ID :
36646
Sat, 12/20/2008 - 08:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/36646
The shortlink copeid
Google earth Map gives first geography lesson to terrorists
Mumbai, Dec 19 (PTI) Google Earth is the seventh popular Internet application tool but it is being growingly misused by terror groups to have the first glimpse of sensitive places to plot attacks without moving an inch.
Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Fahim Ahmed Ansari, arrested
by Uttar Pradesh Police in Feburuary this year with maps and
details of the spots hit during the recent terror attacks, in
his statement had conceded that his masters showed him the
maps on Google Earth to pin-point the specific targets.
The interrogation report of Fahim, who was trained at
the Baitul Mujahideen camp in Pakistan in his statement said
that a top Lashker commander 'Kahasa' asked him to show the
spots in Mumbai on the Google Earth.
"I was shown the map of Mumbai in Googleearth.com.
Kahasa asked me to point out places in Mumbai he noted down
and marked those places in the map," he told interrogators,
adding, "I was first asked about my residence location and
in-laws location in Mumbai."
Sensitive places like offices of Commissioner of Police
and DGP, Gateway of India, Navy Nagar, Colaba, Taj Mahal
Hotel, Mantralaya, Wankhede Stadium, Race Course, Church Gate
Railway Station, Stock Exchange Building, BARC, Kalina Army
Gate and other such spots were located and marked on the
Google Earth Map.
Fahim, along with Sabauddin, were brought to Mumbai and
remanded to police custody till December 31. They are being
questioned to ascertain whether they had provided the minute
details to Lashkar terrorists to help them plan the terror
strike here on November 26.
The Google Earth Map gives a birds eye view of the
city providing detailed topography of the area in the
forms of actual photographs. The details provided in the
application can be useful for identifying buildings, roads,
streets.
Fahim also said that Lashker top brass was interested
in knowing the height of airport wall, wire fencing and
location of aircraft runway from the nearest building.
"They also enquired about the possibility of striking an
aircraft from the nearest building. Kahasa was also keen to
know about the availability of taxis near DGP office," he said
in the statement given to UP Police.
The terrorists who attacked the Metropolis were well
acquainted with the location of their targets and the streets
leading to them. The lone terrorist arrested by Mumbai police,
Kasab, reportedly told the investigators that their group was
also given detailed location of spots using the software.
In the wake of the misuse of the Google software, a
petition was also filed in the Bombay High Court after the
Mumbai terror attack to blur the images of sensitive spots
shown on the software till the case was decided.
Advocate Amit Karkhanis who filed the petition said that
online sattelite imaging was used in the sattelite planning of
the attacks and the online software does not have any control
to prevent its misuse or give limited access. PTI SP
Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Fahim Ahmed Ansari, arrested
by Uttar Pradesh Police in Feburuary this year with maps and
details of the spots hit during the recent terror attacks, in
his statement had conceded that his masters showed him the
maps on Google Earth to pin-point the specific targets.
The interrogation report of Fahim, who was trained at
the Baitul Mujahideen camp in Pakistan in his statement said
that a top Lashker commander 'Kahasa' asked him to show the
spots in Mumbai on the Google Earth.
"I was shown the map of Mumbai in Googleearth.com.
Kahasa asked me to point out places in Mumbai he noted down
and marked those places in the map," he told interrogators,
adding, "I was first asked about my residence location and
in-laws location in Mumbai."
Sensitive places like offices of Commissioner of Police
and DGP, Gateway of India, Navy Nagar, Colaba, Taj Mahal
Hotel, Mantralaya, Wankhede Stadium, Race Course, Church Gate
Railway Station, Stock Exchange Building, BARC, Kalina Army
Gate and other such spots were located and marked on the
Google Earth Map.
Fahim, along with Sabauddin, were brought to Mumbai and
remanded to police custody till December 31. They are being
questioned to ascertain whether they had provided the minute
details to Lashkar terrorists to help them plan the terror
strike here on November 26.
The Google Earth Map gives a birds eye view of the
city providing detailed topography of the area in the
forms of actual photographs. The details provided in the
application can be useful for identifying buildings, roads,
streets.
Fahim also said that Lashker top brass was interested
in knowing the height of airport wall, wire fencing and
location of aircraft runway from the nearest building.
"They also enquired about the possibility of striking an
aircraft from the nearest building. Kahasa was also keen to
know about the availability of taxis near DGP office," he said
in the statement given to UP Police.
The terrorists who attacked the Metropolis were well
acquainted with the location of their targets and the streets
leading to them. The lone terrorist arrested by Mumbai police,
Kasab, reportedly told the investigators that their group was
also given detailed location of spots using the software.
In the wake of the misuse of the Google software, a
petition was also filed in the Bombay High Court after the
Mumbai terror attack to blur the images of sensitive spots
shown on the software till the case was decided.
Advocate Amit Karkhanis who filed the petition said that
online sattelite imaging was used in the sattelite planning of
the attacks and the online software does not have any control
to prevent its misuse or give limited access. PTI SP
