Pakistan says part of Mumbai attacks planned in country
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, Feb. 13, IRNA -– Pakistan said Thursday that part of Mumbai conspiracy took place in the country, however, there are indications that the system of various countries was used to carry out the heinous act of terrorism.
Interior ministry advisor Rahman Malik told a news conference in Islamabad that a case has been registered against nine persons, including several Pakistani nationals and Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone attacker in India for the Mumbai attacks.
He said the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had registered the case and that six of the accused are in the custody of Pakistani authorities.
He urged the international community assistance is required to successfully carry out the investigation into the case.
Kasab was named among the accused who had "prima facie committed offences" punishable under the Anti-Terrorism Act, Pakistan Penal Code and Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance, Malik said.
Hamad Amin Sadiq, a man hailing from Punjab province, was identified as the "main operator" in facilitating and coordinating the Mumbai attacks. Malik identified two other accused only as Khan and Riaz.
Though Malik said the Indian dossier on the Mumbai incident named Lashker-e-Taiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi as one of those who had launched the attacks, he did say if Lakhvi was named in the case.
He merely said Lakhvi had been detained and was under investigation.
Malik said Sadiq had operated two bank accounts from which transactions related to the attacks were made.
Information provided by Sadiq led investigators to two militant hideouts – one in Karachi and another located a short distance from the southern port city.
The suspect identified as Khan purchased the engine that powered the inflatable rubber boat used by the attackers to travel from a trawler to the Mumbai shore and other articles like life jackets.
Khan also gave sleuths a phone number that helped them trace Sadiq, Malik said.
Another person arrested by the Pakistani authorities was Pakistani national Javed Iqbal, who allegedly made payments in Spain to acquire Voice over Internet Protocol phone numbers used by the attackers to remain in touch with their handlers.
Iqbal, who was living in Barcelona, was "lured" to Pakistan and arrested, Malik said.
Iqbal had named some other persons living in Spain and linked to the attacks.
Pakistan has asked the Spanish government to arrest these persons, Malik said.
The Pakistani investigators also traced three boats that were used by the terrorists.
Malik named two of the boats as Al-Husseni and Al-Fauz.
Al-Husseini was reportedly capsized at sea while Al-Fauz was traced by investigators even though it was repainted and renamed Mashallah.
The crew for both these boats was the same and they had been identified, Malik said.
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