2 FBI officers, 3 US nationals to depose in Mumbai attack case

Mumbai, Aug.12 (ANI): Three United States nationals are likely to give their testimony in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case through video conferencing while two Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) officers are likely to appear before the special court in person here on Wednesday.

Two Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officers are also likely to appear in person to tender evidence, said Ujjawal Nikam, the Special public prosecutor in Mumbai terror attack case.

The case of the prosecution is that some terrorists had sought instructions from wanted accused based in Pakistan through voice over internet protocol (VOIP) in New Jersey, USA.

The Mumbai police had sought the services of FBI on this aspect.

The services of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) have been requisitioned to provide infrastructure to enable the court to hold the video conferencing for deposition of the US nationals in the Mumbai attack case, Nikam said.

However, Nikam informed that the identities of the witnesses have been kept secret for security purposes.

At least four screens would be put in place in the court which is housed in the high security central prison area located at Arthur Road in Mumbai.

The witnesses' deposition is expected to throw light upon how the 10 terrorists including the lone surviving gunman Ajmal Kasab were in touch with their handlers in Pakistan through mobile phones, the prosecutor Nikam said.

Meanwhile, two FBI officials are also expected to appear in person for deposition as witnesses.

Nikam said this is for the first time that in a terror attack case witnesses from abroad are deposing.

FBI had also conducted a probe, after the 26/11 terror attacks, in which 166 persons including six Americans were killed, and collected clinching evidence which would be placed before the trial court here.

The FBI sleuths are likely to tell the court how the attacks were planned and executed by Lashkar-e-Toiba and its commanders. They would also throw light on from where the Global Positioning System was activated and how during the terror attacks the terrorists were in constant touch with their handlers in Pakistan. (ANI)