LeT bargained Kasab release
US jury indicts Rana and Headley for planning Mumbai attacks
Pakistani handlers behind the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) men who attacked Mumbai wanted the release of captured gunman Ajmal Amir Kasab in exchange for the hostages held by the terrorists, an indictment charge sheet for two suspects has said.
A US federal grand jury in its 12-count indictment against terror suspects Tahawwur Hussein Rana and David Coleman Headley gave extensive details of the planning of the Mumbai attack and how the LeT leaders guided their men during the four-day siege beginning November 26, 2008.
Pakistani-origin Chicago resident Rana was indicted by the jury in Chicago along with American citizen Headley on the charges of preparing the groundwork and providing material support for the LeT to carry out the Mumbai terror attack. During the course of the attacks, the gunmen were in telephonic contact with three LeT leaders—identified as Members A, B and C—all of whom were located in Pakistan. They were advised to, among other actions, kill hostages and throw grenades.
“The LeT Member A also sought to arrange the release of a hostage in exchange for the release of a captured attacker,” the charge sheet said. The 10 young Pakistani men were given extensive training by the LeT in July-August 2008.
The ultras were given training in various skills, including combat tactics, room entry, hostage rescue, nautical training and swimming. The attacks on multiple installations killed 166 people, including six American nationals.
Headley, 49, a Pakistani American, was arrested in October by the FBI and charge sheeted on December 7, while Rana, 49, a Pakistani-Canadian, has remained in federal custody in Chicago since his arrest on October 18 for planning a terror attack on a Denmark newspaper which had published cartoons of Prophet Mohammad. Friday’s indictment contains identical charges that were slapped against Headley on December 7 and adds Rana as a defendant in three of the counts.
