Mumbai terror trial shifted to jail due to security concerns

Rezaul H Laskar

Islamabad, Sep 9 (PTI) 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 PTI.

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. PTI