Embassy recruits ex-cops for terror profiling of places

NEW DELHI: In a development that could anger civil rights activists, a western government���s Indian embassy has roped in 12 retired senior police officials to undertake profiling of epicentres of terrorism in northern and western India. This team will specifically collect details about Azamgarh, the terror nursery in Uttar Pradesh.

Sources said these retired officials, who have worked in sensitive northern and western states, have already begun collecting information on the pattern of crimes, spread of religious indoctrination centres and terror funding routes.

The move comes at a time when civil rights activists, Muslim organisations and a section of the UPA have been complaining about targeting of Muslims for increased law enforcement attention.

The civil rights lobby has always maintained that terrorism profiling was ���inconsistent��� with basic constitutional principles.Investigations into recent terror strikes have been pointing to the Azamgarh angle.