Mumbai attack trial: Pak court seeks focal person who will press for Indian witnesses | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Mumbai attack trial: Pak court seeks focal person who will press for Indian witnesses

Press Trust of India, Lahore | ByPress Trust of India
Sep 24, 2017 06:22 PM IST

A total of 166 people were killed in the 2008 Mumbai attack. Nine terrorists were killed while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was captured alive and later executed in 2012.

A Pakistani court conducting the trial of seven Mumbai terror attack suspects has ordered the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to appoint a focal person to press for bringing 24 Indian witnesses to the country to record their statements in the case.

A soldier takes cover as the Taj Mahal hotel burns during the gun battle with militants in Mumbai in November 2008.(AP)
A soldier takes cover as the Taj Mahal hotel burns during the gun battle with militants in Mumbai in November 2008.(AP)

Mumbai attack mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younis Anjum are facing charges of abetment to murder, attempted murder, planning and executing the 2008 Mumbai attack.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The prosecution said the Indian witness statements are needed to conclude the trial which has been going on for more than seven years.

India has been urging Pakistan to complete the trial at the earliest, saying enough evidence has been shared with Pakistan to prosecute the accused.

India has also asked Pakistan to re-investigate the Mumbai attack case and put on trial Jammat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed who is currently under house arrest in Lahore under the anti-terrorism law.

An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan held the hearing of the Mumbai terror attack case at Adiyala Jail in Rawalpindi last week.

It “directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director general to appoint a focal person to pursue the case of bringing 24 Indian witnesses here (Pakistan) to record their statements with the country’s interior and foreign ministries,” a court official told PTI.

He said the FIA’s focal person will ask both ministries to take up the matter with the Indian government to send the Indian witnesses to Pakistan.

“It appear to a last effort to bring the Indian witnesses here. Otherwise like the defence, the prosecution will also request the court to announce the verdict without the statements of Indian witnesses,” the official said.

A total of 166 people were killed in the attack carried out by 10 LeT men. Nine terrorists who carried out the attack were killed while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was captured alive and later executed in 2012 in Pune.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Lok Sabha Election 2024 LIVE along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On