Pak shifts 26/11 trial to jail on security concerns

Pakistani authorities decided to hold the trial of five LeT operatives arrested in connection with the Mumbai attacks in a high-security jail in Rawalpindi.

Islamabad: 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.

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 reporters.

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.

Besides Lakhvi and Shah, the three other LeT operatives facing trial are Hamad Amin Sadiq, Abu al-Qama and Shahid Jamil Riaz. They have been accused of providing training, financial support, accommodation and equipment to 10 terrorists who attacked Mumbai in November last year.

The accused have been charged under the Pakistan Penal
Code, Anti-Terrorism Act and a cyber crimes law.

Two more suspects arrested recently – Jamil Ahmed and
Younas Anjum – are also being tried by the same court.

Judge Baqir Ali Rana, who is conducting the trial
within the Adiala Jail, recently imposed a media blackout on
coverage of the proceedings, citing concerns about the
security of witnesses and the accused.

However, the diplomatic sources said the gag order
might have been issued due to concerns in the security
establishment about any potentially embarrassing disclosures
made by the suspects in court.

Indian officials have accused Pakistan`s security
establishment, including the ISI, of having close links with
the LeT and its founder Hafiz Mohammad Saeed.

Though Saeed was placed under house arrest in December
last year after the UN Security Council declared his new
group, Jamaat-ud-Dawah, a front for the LeT, he was freed by
the Lahore High Court in June.

India has asked Pakistan to take action against Saeed
for his alleged role in masterminding and executing the Mumbai
attacks. Pakistan is maintaining that the information provided
so far by India is not adequate for arresting or prosecuting
Saeed.

Bureau Report

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