Mumbai: Trial in the November 26 Mumbai terror attacks case began on Friday at the special sessions court set up inside the Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai.
The prosecution opened the case against lone arrested terrorist Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab and two with Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam declaring draft charges under which they would like to prosecute Kasab. Over 21 pages confession statement made by were also opened.
Kasab has been charged with criminal conspiracy, waging war against nation and also under various Indian Penal Code sections. He has also been charged with committing robbery.
Kasab has been booked for direct involvement in seven cases and as a co-conspirator in five cases. He has also been indirectly charged with killing people at Chhatrapati Shivaji Station.
The prosecution claimed the handlers of the 10 Mumbai attackers had instructed them to specifically target American, British and Israeli citizens. They had also been instructed to avoid Muslims in the hotels and other attack sites.
SG Abbas Kazmi, who was appointed Kasab's lawyer, claimed that his client was a minor and so the trial should be held in a juvenile court. However, prosecution countered by saying that Kasab in his confession gave his age above 18 years thrice.
Kasab gave his date of birth as December 30, 1987 thrice while giving his confession, said the prosecution.
Claiming that the Pakistani army was involved in the Mumbai terror attack, the prosecution said that Kasab's skills in handling from Kalashnikov rifle impressed a Pakistani army official.
Kasab mentioned about a training conversation with a Pakistani army official. The confession also mentions a serving member of the Pakistani Army, Colonel Saadat Ullah, who is alleged to have helped to set up the internet telephony system through which the gunmen received instruction from their Pakistan-based handlers.
"The Pakistani army official was impressed by my firing skills with the Kalashnikov and he also said 'I was the best shooter in the team. I was the destroyer'," Kasab reportedly confessed.
Kasab confessed to the investigating agencies that a Kalashnikov rifle was referred to as 'kalashes' by mujahideens. He also revealed that he and the other nine terrorists were given training in trekking, warfare in sea, operating Global Positioning System, how to find direction and navigate in unknown land.
Kasab also reportedly confessed that he was the best shooter in the team and also revealed of Pakistan's involvement.
The confession statement was also read to Kasab in Hindi and Urdu.
(With inputs from Toral Varia)
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