Ishrat kin refute Headley’s claim

The family of Ishrat Jahan, who was killed in a police encounter on the outskirts of Ahmedabad in 2004, refuted the claims made by American-born Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT) operative David Headley that she was a LeT suicide bomber.

The family of Ishrat Jahan, who was killed in a police encounter on the outskirts of Ahmedabad in 2004, refuted the claims made by American-born Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT) operative David Headley that she was a LeT suicide bomber.

HT Image

Headley reportedly told the National Investigation Agency that Jahan was a member of LeT suicide squad initiated by top operative Muzammil.

On Monday, Jahan’s family claimed that the reports were biased and that they are contemplating legal action.

The family alleged that the report was probably an effort to tarnish their reputation before the Gujarat High Court starts hearing their plea on July 14.

“As the hearing of the case is nearing, these are attempts to put pressure on the family. They think we are poor people and will succumb to the pressure,” said Jahan’s uncle Abdul Rauf Lala. “However, in spite of these reports, we aren’t scared. Even if there were an ounce of doubt in our minds about Jahan, we wouldn’t have fought the case. But we know she was innocent and are going to fight the case till the end. Such reports cannot demoralise us.”

“Tamang’s report established that she was murdered. This is like justifying the murder through Headley’s statement. How can you believe a criminal like him? We are planning to ask the home minister to seek full explanation on what exactly Headley said and tell it to the masses in the next 24 to 48 hours,” he said.

Jahan’s mother Shamima Kausar said: “The report is wrong. We are hurt by it. Our girl is innocent. She will never do anything against the country.”

She said the family has full faith in the judicial system of the country and they will surely get justice for Jahan.