Key Mumbai terror attacks trial opens in Chicago

Headley will explain how he funnelled his surveillance to Pakistani militants.


Reuters May 24, 2011

CHICAGO, US:


US prosecutors on Monday outlined an elaborate plot that allegedly preceded the 2008 attack on Mumbai, saying a Chicago businessman helped make it possible for militants to scout their targets.


“He (Tahawwur Rana) not only knew of the attacks, he approved of them, and agreed with them” prosecutor Sarah Streicker said in her opening statement to the jury in US District Court in Chicago as the trial began.

A number of Pakistanis accused of helping to orchestrate the attack, described as co-conspirators, knew about Rana and were “appreciative of his assistance,” Streicker said.

Rana, a Pakistan-born Canadian citizen, is accused of using his immigration services firm to provide a cover story for David Headley, an American who has admitted to scouting targets in Mumbai for the Pakistani militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Although Rana did not carry a gun nor throw a grenade, he played a vital role in the run-up to Mumbai with resources and other support, including using his business as a conduit for communications with militants, Streicker said.

At one point after the 2008 attack, Streicker said Rana told Headley “The Indians deserved it.”

Headley, tipped as the key witness, has pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty and to keep from being extradited.

Streicker said Headley will explain how he funnelled his surveillance to Pakistani militants who organized the attack that killed more than 160 people in the Indian commercial capital, including six Americans.

Headley has told investigators the militants’ “handlers” were members of Pakistan’s main spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence directorate.

But Streicker described the role of only one ISI officer, “Major Iqbal,” who she said was intimately involved in the attack that she referred to as an “international nightmare.”

She also cited the role of Abdur Rehman, another figure referred in court papers as a retired military officer.

Prosecutors say Rana served as a conduit for messages between Headley and “Major Iqbal.”

Iqbal and Rehman are among six Pakistanis who have been indicted. None of them is in custody.

Rana, who faces the possibility of life in prison, and Headley were also charged with participating in a second plot with Pakistani militants. That plot, never carried out, allegedly targeted a Danish newspaper.

Rana’s lawyers have said they will show Headley tricked Rana into thinking they were working with Pakistan’s government and were not bent on violence.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24th, 2011.


COMMENTS (46)

Subhan Basha | 12 years ago | Reply Dr.Saleem Siddiqi, I doubt whether your prefix is real or bogus, but however one thing is clear that Pakistan's problems are getting compounded by the mental attitude of people like you. The government should take great pains to liquidate all these terrorist elements and the brains behind them like you people, then only the great country like Pakistan will survive.
Dr. Saleem Siddiqi | 12 years ago | Reply @loafer: Guilt is not a guilt unless proven to be guilty. How you are passing verdict that Pakistan is responsible for all that mess which India could not control. There was heap of Security lapse in India's rank and file that few persons enterered into Mumbai and started all the action. We never knew that Indian Armed forces and security is so fragile. This will give a way to other countries to enter into india and do whatever they want to do. Dear first produce all the evidence to Pakistan, which India keep hiding, and let both countries investigating authorities work together to come to consensus to pin point. Your view that India would have attacked Pakistan - she will never dare to do that as she knows that Pakistan is not that was 20-25 years ago but Pakistan is now an Atomic Power. Try your luck. Pakistan is an independent state and it is our right with whom we should stand - whether USA and or China or both. We dont object if India is hiding behind Russia. Each country has its own judicial system and fair decision coming from such system are always welcomed. @Dr S Ahmad: Pointing fingers without any evidence is very easy job in this world. My dear nothing was proved and your giving your opinion on assumptions only. Yes I am amazed how 5 people on the boat entered into Mumbai without Passport and security check - so whom to be blamed for this India or Pakistan. Pakistan is a large country and it cannot deploy a policeman at every street. Even though it is not yet proved that OBL was in Abbottabad or not. However, for argument sake if we assume, it is physically not possible to find a hidden person. Look india handed over years back a list of so called terrorists / wanted people hiding in Pakistan but only lately found couple of them in India. I hope you got the point I want to make. We don't care whether someone care for us or not, we believe in justice and principle. Pakistan is subject to conspricy of few and Inshallah day is not so far when we will get rid of all these evils to see a strong Pakistan emerging from the present situation. Regards Dr. Saleem Siddiqi Johannesburg.
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