Kasab not fasting during Ramzan: Official

Mumbai, Aug 3: Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab, convicted and awarded death sentence for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, is not observing fast during the ongoing Islamic month of Ramzan, a senior official of Arthur Road jail said.

Though Kasab had observed fast for a select few days during last Ramzan, this year he had expressed his unwillingness for the same, said Arthur Road jail superintendent Rajendra Dhamale.

"We had informed him about Ramzan in advance. But Kasab said he would not observe fast this time," Dhamle added. A jail source said the terrorist though continued to eat his daily food, he rarely strikes chat with the security guards.

"However, he continues to pray daily as and when he feels like," said the source.

During the month of Ramzan, Muslims observe fast (roza) for the whole month. The fasting period starts from an hour before daybreak till after sunset.

Kasab, who is lodged in the infamous anda (egg shaped) cell in high security Arthur Road prison, recently moved the Supreme Court challenging his conviction and death sentence in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

The Bombay High Court in its February 21 verdict upheld the death sentence of Kasab for the "brutal and diabolical" attacks aimed at "destabilising" the federal government.

Nearly 166 people were killed in a series of planned terror attacks on the financial capital of the country on 26th November, 2008.

PTI