Mumbai court has released non-bailable warrants against Major Iqbal and Major Abdul Rehman Pasha, both army officials are connected in the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai.
Major Abdul Rehman Pasha has retired from the army, but the prosecution still believes that Iqbal is currently an ISI official in India’s neighboring country Pakistan, as disclosed by David Coleman Headly a USA-born LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba) terrorist.
Major Abdul Rehman Pasha and Major Iqbal are both listed as wanted in the charge sheet that was filed by the crime branch of the Mumbai police.
Judge SV Yarlagadda allowed an application that was filed by public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam on January 21. The court is currently conducting a trying against the suspected LeT member Sayyed Zabiuddin Ansari who is also known as Abu Jundal in the Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks.
Ujjwal Nikam a special public prosecutor said in the application about the roles the two Pakistani Majors had, this information was revealed by David Headley.
David Headley is currently being held inside a prison in the United States of America, he turned a witness in the terrorist case, and his testimony was recorded through a video conference that happened in 2016.
Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said: “David Headley’s testimony has vindicated India’s stand that the terror attacks of November 26, 2008, were not only sponsored by terrorist groups of Pakistan but were in fact, actively supported by Pakistan Army officials.”
Judge Yarlagadda after hearing prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said that he is allowing the application.
The Mumbai court said: “The application filed by the prosecution for the issuance of non-bailable warrant against the two persons (Pasha and Iqbal) is allowed. These two persons are shown as wanted suspects. The approver, David Headley, has named them in his evidence.”
The court has scheduled a further hearing on February 6. “Hence, issue non-bailable warrants against both the accused persons.”
In the testimony of David Headley, the LeT member claimed that during the meetings that were held for the terrorist attacks on 26/11 both Major Pasha and Major Iqbal were present, and they helped to select the targets.
David Headley also said that LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba) operatives Sajeed Mir, Abu Kaahfa and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi were also present in the said meetings.
Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said that the testimony of David Headley is not the only evidence they have against Major Iqbal and Major Abdul Rehman Pasha, he added that they have corroborative documentary pieces of evidence against them.
David Headley said that he visited Mumbai in September 20016 and informed Major Iqbal about the surveillance of Hotel Taj (the hotel attacked on the terrorist attacks) that is located in South Mumbai, David added that after he went to Pakistan he handed video clips and photographs to him. David was also paid $25,000 USD to spy the hotel.
David Headley also claimed that he was requested by Major Iqbal to get classified information about the BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre) and the office of the political party Shiv Sena that is located in central Mumbai.
David added that he received Rs. 80,000 from Major Abdul Rehman Pasha as for the surveillance work he did in India.
Prosecutor Nikam said that David was in regular contact with Major Abdul Rehman Pasha throughout the conspiracy, planning, and exaction of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said: “It is pertinent to note that Headley in his testimony had said Pasha wanted the National Defence College in New Delhi also to be included in the target list and had, in fact, told Headley that if the attack on the army college was successful then they would be able to kill more brigadiers and generals than they have in the past.”
On 2008, 10 terrorists arrived through the sea and killed 166 people in an open fire, the open fire led to the death of 18 security personnel, injured many civilians, and damaged the property that is worth crores.
The terrorist attacks lasted for three straight days, the terrorists attacked Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station, the Taj Mahal Hotel, the Trident Hotel, Cafe Leopold and Chabad House.
9 of the terrorists were killed in the rescue operation that was held by the anti-terrorist squad, and they managed to catch Ajmal Kasab alive, he was sentenced to death later on by the court.