Headley reveals roles of ISI, Hafiz Saeed in 26/11 attacks

Washington, May 24: In yet another indictment of the Pakistan-state elements involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, David Coleman Headley has revealed that the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) had connections with Lashkar-e-Taiba and that both the organisations worked in tandem to effect the terror attack.

Headley, an American of Pakistani-origin and Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian were arrested by the US police under the suspicion of their involvement in planning the Mumbai attacks. The trial for the duo's involvement began in a Chicago court on May 23.

Headley has also said that the ISI helped terror out-fit LeT and that he started training in Pakistan about a decade ago. He also spell out the role of Hafiz Saeed, in the attacks and stated that the boss of the militants Saeed, motivated him for carrying out a 'Jihad'.

The ISI was also exposed when Headley said that he was in touch with 'Major' Iqbal of the ISI and that do recce for the Mumbai attacks, 'Major' Iqbal had financed him $25,000.

In the opening statement of the trial, Sarah Streicker, the Assistant US Attorney said that after the 26/11 attacks Rana told Headley that the "Indians deserved it." About 166 people were killed in the brazen attacks.

Sarah alleged that both the men had links with the Pakistani spy agency ISI and said that Rana provided cover for Headley when the latter recced targets in Mumbai. The allegation was countered by Rana's lawyer Charlie Swift saying that his client was duped by Headley and that he had no inclination about the plot against India.

Sarah Streicker responded back by saying that, "The defendant didn't carry a gun or throw a grenade. In a complicated and sophisticated plot, not every player carries a weapon. People like the defendant who provide support are just as critical to the success."

Rana is one of the seven names on the indictment list, and the only defendant in custody. Among the other six who are charged in absentia are "Major Iqbal" and Sajid Mir, allegedly another LeT supervisor who also "handled" Headley.

OneIndia News