Mumbai, March 6: Former Pakistan National Security Advisor Mahmud Ali Durrani has said that the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack was carried out by a terror group based in Pakistan. He said the attack was a classic example of the trans-border terrorist event.
“26/11 Mumbai attack carried out by a terror group based in Pakistan is classic trans-border terrorist event,” ANI quoted Mahmud Ali Durrani.
Mahmud Ali Durrani, a retired army general, was the National Security Advisor to the Pakistan government when 10 Pakistani terrorists sneaked into Mumbai after hijacking a boat and killed at least 164 people and wounding 308 across the city. The 10 terrorists held the city in a siege for hours–9 out 10 terrorists were killed by the security forces, whereas Ajmal Amir Kasab was captured alive. He was hanged in 2012 after being pronounced guilty and sentenced to death by the Supreme Court.
The capturing of Kasab had got Pakistan to admit that the attack was launched from its soil by non-state actors. The admission established Pakistan before the global community as a state that condones terrorism. It was a great strategic victory for India.
Durrani further said that the mastermind of the attack, Jamat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed had no utility for Pakistan and strong action must be taken. (Also read: 26/11 Mumbai attack: 3 Kuber fishermen pronounced dead)
“Hafiz Saeed has no utility, we should act against him,” he said.
#WATCH: Former Pakistan NSA Mahmud Ali Durrani says 26/11 attack was carried out by terror group based in Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/cBmzSFnbK2
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 6, 2017
After dilly-dallying for decades, the Pakistan administration finally took action against Hafiz Saeed recently. He had been put on house arrest and was listed in the anti-terror act that restricted his movement in the country. However, India doesn’t find the action against him proportionate to the crime he committed. According to a PTI report, when the Pakistan administration asked the Indian government to record statements by 24 witnesses, the Indian side asked Pakistan to conduct a re-investigation in the case.
Not only Hafiz Saeed, the Indian side also demanded a re-trial against Lashkar-E-Taiba leader Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi. Lakhvi was one of the handlers of the terrorists and was instrumental in planning and execution of the ghastly attack. Lakhvi is facing charges of abetment to murder, attempted murder and planning and executing the November 2008 attack. Lakhvi is out on bail after a Pakistani court found the evidence against him inadequate.
Hafiz Saeed has been put under a house arrest since January 30. According to reports, protests against his arrest had broken out in many parts of Pakistan.
At least 164 people were killed in terror attacks across Mumbai that began on November 26, 2008 and ended on November 29, 2008. Ajmal Kasab, the terrorist who was caught alive during the attacks, underwent trial and was hanged till death in 2012.
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