Mumbai terror trial shifted to jail due to security concerns

Pakistani authorities decided to hold the trial of five Lashker-e-Taiba operatives arrested in connection with the Mumbai attacks in a high-security jail in Rawalpindi after learning that the outlawed group had made preparations to snatch them while they were being taken from prison to court.

Pakistani authorities decided to hold the trial of five Lashker-e-Taiba operatives arrested in connection with the Mumbai attacks in a high-security jail in Rawalpindi after learning that the outlawed group had made preparations to snatch them while they were being taken from prison to court.

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The LeT made extensive preparations for an attack to free the five operatives, including operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and communications expert Zarar Shah, and had even conducted a reconnaissance of Adiala Jail, where they are being held, diplomatic sources said.

"The LeT had done a reconnaissance and was making plans to snatch the LeT operatives while they were taken from Adiala Jail to anti-terrorism courts in Rawalpindi, where the hearings of high-profile terror cases are usually held," a source told PTI.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik briefed Indian diplomats some time ago about the findings of Pakistani security agencies regarding the LeT plot to free the five operatives, the sources said.

Soon after the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked in Lahore on March 3, some reports said the LeT could have had a hand in the assault. These reports had said the outlawed group planned to abduct the players so that they could be exchanged for the five arrested LeT operatives.