Bharat Rakshak

Amber G. wrote:Heads up:
'Terror in Mumbai' (Narrated by Zakaria) will be shown on CNN, Saturday and Sunday, 8 p.m. ET/PT. (US Times)

The seven men facing trial in the Mumbai attacks case submitted applications in an anti-terror court in Rawalpindi on Saturday asking to be acquitted on the ground that there was no probability of their conviction.

As a result, the trial, which was expected to begin on Saturday, has now been put off until the applications are disposed of.

Four witnesses who had been summoned for examination by the prosecution were present in the anti-terror court (ATC), which is held inside the Adiala Jail, but the proceedings took a different turn with the filing of the applications for acquittal.

Judge Malik Mohammed Akram Awan asked the prosecution to respond to the applications at the next hearing on December 19.

The applications contend that the charges against the seven, framed by the court on November 25, are not supported by the evidence provided by the prosecution, and seek acquittal under Section 256-K of the criminal prosecution code. The Cr.PC permits acquittal under this section if the judge rules that there is no probability of conviction of the accused.

The applications have come on the heels of a petition to the Lahore High Court by Lakhvi asking to be acquitted on grounds of insufficient evidence. The High court ruled that the matter would be decided by the ATC before the trial commenced. {The Lahore High Court and the ATC, Adiala are playing ball by bouncing the case back and forth. The terrorists are simply exploiting the loopholes.}

The applications took up three specific charges framed by the court against the seven — criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly and abetment — and claimed that there was insufficient evidence to prove these charges.

“If there was a criminal conspiracy, there are no details of this conspiracy. Where and when was it hatched? Time and place are vital here because there has to be a nexus with the circumstances of the crime,” said Malik Mohammed Rafiq Khan, one of the defence lawyers.

The charge of unlawful assembly also did not hold water, he said, because it could be applied only if there had been rioting. Similarly, there was no evidence to support abetment, the applications contended.

The applications also hold that the accused cannot be tried on two of the charges against the accused, under the Cyber Crimes Act and the Anti-Terror Act.

Section 4 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) contains a list of offences for which a Pakistani national can be prosecuted in Pakistan even if he is accused of committing them in another country. The section says that the prosecution will take place as if these crimes have been committed in Pakistan.

However, offences under the recently enacted Cyber Crimes law, and Section 7 of the Anti-Terror Act, are not listed under Section 4 of the PPC.

The applications also state that Judge Awan did not apply his mind to the available evidence while framing the charges. Instead, the applications state, he replicated the charges framed by the previous Judge Baqir Ali Rana, jettisoned after the defence lawyers complained of being kept out of the process.

Gagan wrote:

Amber G. wrote:Heads up:
'Terror in Mumbai' (Narrated by Zakaria) will be shown on CNN, Saturday and Sunday, 8 p.m. ET/PT. (US Times)

There are some additional scenes that were not in the channel 4 video. Also updated info about the SIM cards that were given to the LET guys by Indian intel ops.

Zakaria is not as dramatic, he repeats exactly the channel 4 announcer's dialogues, who was more dramatic and much better than Zakaria.\

Zakaria made an error?
He says there was only ONE terrorist handler, while the voice transcripts we've heard seem to suggest more than one?

Must Watch none the less, this has taken the US by storm, and everyone is viewing the David headly and the 5 virginia muslim youths in pakistan, saga in a new light.

“Hours of intercepted phone conversations show that the assault team was guided by three men, speaking Punjabi, interspersed occasionally with Urdu and English. However, recent media reports that Headley was among those involved are not supported by the tapes, which are available with The Hindu.”

Named by surviving jihadist Mohammad Ajmal Amir—widely identified by his caste-name Kasab—as senior Lashkar military operatives, Zaki-ur-Rahman Lakhvi, Muzammil Bhat and Abu Hamza, the men used voice-over-internet phone connections to communicate with the assault team.

Tanaji wrote:http://news.rediff.com/report/2009/dec/ ... lators.htm
It seems that Chavan is getting his kicks by having a private SPG all for himself.

.......Personnel of the newly-raised commando unit, formally inducted by Chief Minister Ashok Chavan last week, will be well equipped with bullet proof jackets and sophisticated AK47 and other arms to provide security to VVIPs and VIPs, Commissioner of Police Praveen Dixit said.

All vital installations and stations like Vidhan Bhawan, chief minister's official residence 'Ramgiri,' CM Secretariat Hyderabad House, New Hyderabad House, deputy chief minister's official residence 'Deogiri', Governor's house Raj Bhawan, MLAs' hostel and minister's cottages at Ravi Bhawan and Nag Bhavan will be provided with adequate security.

George J wrote:

Jarita wrote:Why were Taj and Oberoi attacked? Why not Marriot or other hotels? Why these two? They are not even that close to each other

1) Al-keedas landed in south Bombay in the Machimar colony/Budhwar Park.
2) The closest and arguably the most famous land marks in Mumbai are a short taxi ride from Machimar colony. Namely Gateway/Taj/Oberoi/Leopold/VT.
3) Nariman House was also within walking distance and from all the intercept it was pretty important to al-keeda plans.

So within convenient driving (given Mumbai Traffic) and walking distance (leopold-Nariman house-Taj) they can get enough attention.

Now there is also a slight tangent that is open to debate (but I am not going to get into it). Anyone who remotely significant or relevant still has an address in South Bombay (Nariman Point/Fort/etc). So anyone who wants to meet or do business with these significant people will come down to South Bombay and the Oberoi and Taj are still nice places to stay.

The impact of the attack on Taj made one thing apparent, there were many big wigs from the financial, banking, bureaucracy, politicians all there for different reasons in the same place.

One good thing to come out of 26/11:
Now with the Marcos being based out of Lions Gate, and when them fast roping all over Gateway. South Bombay has become very secure from future al-keeda attacks of this sort. They now have access to Force 1, QRT, NSG and MARCOS. And they also have the IA jawans in Kalina and Colaba as back up.

Aditya G wrote:I wonder why the sucide team did not attack a military target like WNC HQ or the Styx coastal battery? Such an attack would cause real military loss to the enemy (India) unlike targetting civilian targets which eventually only lead to more funding and manpower to the internal security apparatus - thus making them a stronger adversary in the next encounter.

Aditya G wrote:Mine is a general question as to why the attackers did not attack something with military value, or say Bombay High or Mumbai police HQ? Aside from killing VIPs that can be found in a 5-star I am yet to grasp what exactly did the LeT gain by this operation.

Aditya G wrote:I wonder why the sucide team did not attack a military target like WNC HQ or the Styx coastal battery? Such an attack would cause real military loss to the enemy (India) unlike targetting civilian targets which eventually only lead to more funding and manpower to the internal security apparatus - thus making them a stronger adversary in the next encounter................

Mahendra wrote:

Amber G wrote: 'Terror in Mumbai' (Narrated by Zakaria) will be shown on CNN, Saturday and Sunday, 8 p.m. ET/PT. (US Times)[
Where can I watch the video Gaganji?

SSridhar wrote:No evidence of Headley's role in guiding Mumbai assault: Indian intel agencies

“Hours of intercepted phone conversations show that the assault team was guided by three men, speaking Punjabi, interspersed occasionally with Urdu and English.

Named by surviving jihadist Mohammad Ajmal Amir—widely identified by his caste-name Kasab—as senior Lashkar military operatives, Zaki-ur-Rahman Lakhvi, Muzammil Bhat and Abu Hamza, the men used voice-over-internet phone connections to communicate with the assault team.

The thing which surprised me the most was how soft-spoken the gunmen were, with a complete absence of any "affect" or emotional response to what they were doing, even when killing or being killed. They rarely betrayed any excitement, or even any passion for their cause. Their manner was calm and matter-of-fact throughout, even at the point of death. A couple of witnesses remarked how watching the gunmen at work they were reminded of a first- person shooter video game "like Doom 2." And the handlers were equally calm and casual, but with a very fatherly or school-masterly tone, by turns warmly affectionate and sternly rebuking, patiently encouraging and quietly exasperated. It put me in mind of child-abuse scenarios where the victim is groomed and seduced so thoroughly that he views his abuser as a loving friend

...one of the hostages who was murdered in cold blood by the terrorists at the Chabad House. The audio recordings which came into my possession documented the discussions between the gunmen and their masters concerning the fate of the hostages, and the outcome was a short burst of gunfire. That moment, and the silences which preceded and followed it, still haunt me and will do so for the rest of my life...

The truth is that as an institution the Mumbai police force - and indeed all the Indian security bodies involved - were simply paralyzed by the sheer momentum and dynamism of 10 determined young men armed with simple infantry weapons

...

But would London or New York have got the terrorists before they got a chance to kill so many? I doubt it, because most of the killing happened in the first 20-30 minutes, and the effect of surprise on the public in the line of fire was total and paralyzing. But there's no doubt in my mind that in any US or European city, the ordeal would not have been allowed to drag on for 60 hours, particularly once the terrorists no longer held any hostages.

"LeT" was banned after 9/11 but still maintains its vast recruiting network of 2,000 offices in towns and villages throughout Pakistan, as well as its ties with the spy services - who in all probability are paying compensation to the families of the terrorists killed in the Mubai attacks, standard practice when a young man is martyred in the jihad against India. Operational funding comes from charitable fund-raising amongst the general population but also in the form of contributions by Gulf-based Pakistani businessmen and wealthy Saudi individuals. LeT's goal is to establish Muslim dominion across all of South Asia, and it appears that it has international aspirations too, judging by its choice of luxury hotels and a Jewish center as targets for attack in Mumbai. So this is a powerful militant organization with roots deep in Pakistani society, now well on its way to being a player on a global stage.

Aditya G wrote:Mine is a general question as to why the attackers did not attack something with military value, or say Bombay High or Mumbai police HQ? Aside from killing VIPs that can be found in a 5-star I am yet to grasp what exactly did the LeT gain by this operation.

Aditya G wrote:I wonder why the sucide team did not attack a military target like WNC HQ or the Styx coastal battery? Such an attack would cause real military loss to the enemy (India) unlike targetting civilian targets which eventually only lead to more funding and manpower to the internal security apparatus - thus making them a stronger adversary in the next encounter.

Seven months into the trial of the 26/11 terror attacks, the prosecution today winded up its case before a special court which fixed December 18 to record the statement of lone surviving Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab.

The prosecution wrapped up examination of evidences and a total of 610 witnesses against Kasab and two Indian accused - Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed.

The court will record the statement of Kasab under Section 313 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) on the evidences and witnesses produced by the prosecution on December 18.

Kasab’s lawyer K P Pawar, however, argued that the trial should proceed only after Kasab is medically fit.

Special Judge M L Tahilyani then asked Kasab if he was ill, to which the Pakistani national replied in the negative and said he was fit to give his statement.

Of the 610 witnesses, the prosecution examined 267 personally, which included senior police officials, forensic experts, eye-witnesses and FBI officials.

The evidences of the remaining formal witnesses have been adduced in the form of affidavits before the court.

In all 30 witnesses identified Kasab in the identification parade and in the court. Forensic experts have also given their opinion that the DNA samples collected from the boat - Kuber (in which terrorists landed in Mumbai), matched with the DNA of Kasab and other slain terrorists.

The prosecution has screened in the court CCTV footages of terrorists from cameras installed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), Times of India Building (opposite CST), Hotel Taj and Hotel Oberoi—Trident.

Besides CCTV footages, weapons and RDX seized from Kasab and the slain terrorists have been placed as evidence.

The prosecution is banking on a plea made by Kasab in the court mid-way the trial partly accepting his guilt in the crime.

Kasab had admitted in the court to have taken part in the conspiracy, but said he played a secondary role in the terror attacks as Abu Ismael was his leader.

ravi_ku wrote:Shivji,

In your video, I couldnt hear the women's scream. Also the terrorist voices are a little on the lower side. Is there any way to boost the volumes up?

Thanks

In a dramatic twist to the 26/11 terror attack’ case, main accused Mohammad Ajmal Kasab on Friday retracted from his earlier statement and claimed he was forcibly made to confess.

Denying all charges against him, Kasab said the statement was made under duress.

Kasab had made three confessions after his arrest. One was admission of guilt before police soon after his arrest, the other confession was made before a magistrate which is admissible as evidence and the third one was in the trial court when the accused accepted his guilt partially.

SSridhar wrote:Kasab denies all charges

In a dramatic twist to the 26/11 terror attack’ case, main accused Mohammad Ajmal Kasab on Friday retracted from his earlier statement and claimed he was forcibly made to confess.

Denying all charges against him, Kasab said the statement was made under duress.

Kasab had made three confessions after his arrest. One was admission of guilt before police soon after his arrest, the other confession was made before a magistrate which is admissible as evidence and the third one was in the trial court when the accused accepted his guilt partially.

New Delhi: Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, the sole gunman on trial for the terrorist attacks on Mumbai last year, has a fantastical tale to tell.

Kasab on Friday retracted his confession before a special Mumbai court and alleged that he came to Mumbai on a visa 20 days before the attacks on November 26 last year.

He claimed he came to Mumbai to work in the film industry but was arrested on the night of November 25 and was implicated in the 26/11 case

Among other things, Kasab said that he was coerced into making a confession by the magistrate and said that he was not present during the attack on the Chhatrapati Shivaji Railway Terminus (CST).

"I was not present in the CST and I did not open firing inside the railway station," he claimed.

Kasab claimed that he did not know anything about the dingy. "I saw the dingy for the first time in the Court," he said.

Kasab admitted that he had met David Coleman Headley, the alleged Lashkar-e-Toiba leader under arrest in the US, but the court told him that Headley had nothing to do with his trial.

"Do baatein bolkar katham karna chaahtha hoon, aaj bhi mujhe bolne ka mauka nahin mila tho," said Kasab. (I want to finish by saying two lines, if I don't get a chance to speak then.)

The judge cut him short and told him that he had to answer questions the court put to him.

Kasab has denied all the charges levelled against him during the eight-month long trial.

SSridhar wrote:We can now expect the p-secs, intellectuals and peaceniks to come crawling out of the woodworks pleading for and on behalf of a wonderful human being by the name of Ajmal Qasab.