'26/11 Mumbai attackers wanted militants freed'

Bhopal, Dec 29: A R Antulay (former Minorities Minister) few days back had created storm in a tea cup with his remarks. Now, it is another Senior Congress leader, Digvijay Singh's turn. Digvijay Singh on Sunday, Dec 28 said that the terrorists who attacked Mumbai last month wanted certain jailed militants to be freed in exchange of the hostages.

"During the incident the terrorists had taken some people to hostage and demanded release of certain terrorists. But the Government bluntly denied such demands," said Singh in a function held in Indore.

The former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Congress party general secretary said that the UPA government should be praised for the courage it showed in the time of crisis and eliminating terrorists.

"We did not compromise, rather we went ahead and eliminated them (the Mumbai terrorists)," said Singh, who didn"t name the terrorists whose release was sought.

"This is unlike the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), which has always compromised with terrorism," Digvijay said, referring to the 1999 Kandahar plane hijack when militants were freed by the then BJP government in exchange of hostages.

26/11 terror strikes claimed more that 200 lives including that of two National Security Guard (NSG) commandos. Of the ten terrorists who striked, nine were killed and one caught alive. Azam Amir Kasav alias Ajmal Amir Iman is now under custody of Mumbai Anti-Terror Squad (ATS).

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)