David Headley reveals Pakistan hand in 26/11 attacks

Mumbai, Feb 8: Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist-turned-approver David Coleman Headley revealed a goldmine of information for Indian authorities on various aspects leading to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, while deposing via video conference from a US jail before Special TADA Court Judge G.A. Sanap here on Monday.

He gave names of the officials connected to the Pakistan Army and spoke of their role, its dreaded Inter-Services Intelligence, the LeT and others who were involved in the conspiracy, planning and execution of the 26/11 attacks which killed 166 people and injured hundreds more.

"Headly has made several sensitive revelations. We are satisfied with the evidence," said Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam. "Headley also said that he was arrested in Peshawar (Pak) in 2002-03 because he went to meet drug smugglers. When asked for the reason to meet smugglers, Headley said that they wanted to send some weapons to India to fight Kashmir," Nikam added.

Among the stunning disclosures was the fact that two unsuccessful attempts had been attempted in Mumbai in September and October 2008 which failed, before the final strike at multiple locations in south Mumbai on November 26-29, 2008.

Headly also named the feared LeT founder Hafez Saeed and his close associate Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi - both suspected right from the beginning since the investigations were launched by Indian agencies after the 26/11 attacks.

He named two people directly linked with the Pakistan Army and ISI - Major Iqbal and Major Ali and unraveled how he (Headley) was arrested by Pakistan Army around 2002 when he was going to meet a drug smuggler to send arms and ammunitions consignment to Kashmiri groups fighting the Indian Army.