Jundal: 26/11 strike was a fidayeen attack to keep Pak's role under wraps

Contrary to reports that the 10 terrorists involved in the 26/11 attack on the city were told by their Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) handlers that they would return to Pakistan after the carnage, one of their handlers, Abu Jundal, who is in the custody of Mumbai police, has revealed that they were clearly told that it was a fidayeen attack in which they would not return, and were "likely to die after causing maximum damage".

Contrary to reports that the 10 terrorists involved in the 26/11 attack on the city were told by their Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) handlers that they would return to Pakistan after the carnage, one of their handlers, Abu Jundal, who is in the custody of Mumbai police, has revealed that they were clearly told that it was a fidayeen attack in which they would not return, and were "likely to die after causing maximum damage".

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Sources in the crime branch said on Wednesday that Jundal has disclosed that instructions were given to the attackers to cause damage, kill as many as possible, and if the situation demanded, bargain with the authorities to put them in a weak position.

"But a return was out of question as it would have exposed Pakistan's involvement," sources said as quoting Jundal. They added that the terrorists, who had hijacked MV Kuber, had abandoned it in deep waters and had sailed up to Badhwar park in Colaba using a small boat.

Sources said it was a one-way mission and the doubts created of a return plan because of the GPS seized from the terrorists showing a return route were "not correct". "A GPS device shows a return route of the journey, and that may have created confusion," sources said.

Sources added that training was imparted and the planning was done with a clear objective to cause maximum damage and also take hostages to bring the state machinery to its knees. "They had planned to stay put for over 72 hours and the targets were clearly identified before they set foot on Indian soil," sources said.

They added that the terrorists had undergone rigorous military training after the LeT had indoctrinated them thoroughly, and that they had come to Mumbai for a strike and were under no illusions.