Key Planner Of Mumbai 26/11 Attacks Dies In Pakistan Jail

Abdul Salam Bhuttavi, who helped plan and prepare the Mumbai 26/11 attacks has died in jail, while serving a sentence for terror funding.

Bhuttavi was designated a terrorist by the United Nations Security Council in 2012. He was arrested and charged with terror financing by Pakistan years after being convicted with Lashkar-e-Tayiba founder, Hafiz Saeed's brother-in-law Abdul Rehman Makki. He was sentenced to 16 and a half years in jail.

Bhuttavi had served as the head of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba when Saeed was detained in Pakistan in 2008

The announcement said that Bhuttavi had died of a heart attack in a jail in Sheikhupura in Pakistan's Punjab province. The Lashkar-e-Tayiba also issued a video showing visuals of the funeral of the 78-year old terrorist.

Indian Intelligence officials confirmed to India the death of the terrorist.

When Bhuttavi was sanctioned, the US treasury department said that he had been responsible for fundraising, recruitment and indoctrination of Lashkar-e-Tayiba operatives for 20 years.

"Bhuttavi...helped prepare the operatives for the November 2008 Mumbai attacks by delivering lectures on the merits of martyrdom. Bhuttavi has issued fatwas authorizing LeT/JuD's militant operations, has instructed group leaders and members, and is responsible for LeT/JuD's madrassah network," the US had said in a statement.

"Bhuttavi has served as the acting emir of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba/Jamaat-ud-Dawa (LeT/JuD) on at least two occasions when Saeed has been detained. Saeed was detained days after the November 2008 Mumbai attacks and held until June 2009. Bhuttavi handled the group's day-to-day functions during this period, and made independent decisions on behalf of the organization. Saeed was also detained in May 2002," the UN Security Council had said in a statement while designating Bhuttavi.