David Headley, one of the main accused, in 2008 Mumbai attacks is testifying before a Mumbai court through video links from the US for the second day in running.
On Monday, he had told the court how it was in their third attempts that the LeT operatives had managed to cause the widespread bloodshed on the streets of Mumbai on 26/11 after their previous two attempts failed for several reasons.
Here are the key highlights of his second day’s testimony:
- In 2007, LeT decided to conduct terror attack in Mumbai
- In Nov-Dec 2007, a meeting took place in Muzaffarabad (Pakistan) which was attended by Sajid Mir, Abu Khafa and me
- In this meeting,they assigned me the task of conducting recce of Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai-David Headley deposing before Mumbai Court
- In this meeting, they (LeT) were having info about some meeting of Indian defence scientist in the conference hall of Taj Mahal Palace hotel and they wanted to attack it
- In Nov-Dec 2007, a meeting took place in Muzaffarabad, which was attended by Sajid Mir, Abu Khafa and me, it was decided that I should go to India
- Admits knowing Al-Qaeda, calling it a ‘terrorist organisation’
- David Headley also admits that Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi was operational commander of LeT
- I met Zakiur Rehman LakhvI for the 1st time in 2003 in Muzaffarabad at headquarters of LeT
- Prior to Nov 2007,I had taken photography and videography of Hotel Taj (Mumbai), but I didn’t know that it would be targeted
- The plan to attack conference hall in Taj Hotel (Mumbai) was for logistics reason
- When asked by Special Public Prosecutor Ujjawal Nikam about what “logistic reasons” mean, Headley said:”getting personnels and weapons”
- When asked by Special PP Ujjawal Nikam, “why was Mumbai particularly targeted for the attack? Headley replied: I don’t know why
- David Headley said “I didn’t do any enquiry”, when asked by Special PP Ujjawal Nikam on why was Mumbai particularly targeted for the attack
- David Headley said “I didn’t do any enquiry”, when asked by Special PP Ujjawal Nikam on why was Mumbai particularly targeted for the attack
- When shown passport by Special PP Ujjawal Nikam, David Headley said that he arrived in Mumbai for the 1st time on Sep 14, 2006 from Karachi
- I got permission from Dr. Rana to set up my office in Mumbai
- Bashir Sheikh who was a friend of Dr. Rana came to pick me up from Mumbai Airport where I met him for the first time
- I didn’t know Bashir Sheikh prior to this Mumbai visit-David Headley deposing Mumbai Court through video link.
- Dr. Rana asked his friend Bashir Sheikh to receive me at the Mumbai Airport
- My first day in Mumbai was arranged by Bashir Sheikh
- When shown register of the Taj hotel (Mumbai) book with Headley’s signatures, Headley recognized his signatures.
- I visited Taj Hotel (Mumbai) on Sep 14, 2006 and left from hotel on September 28,2006
- I visited Mumbai on Sep 14,2006 to set up office
- In 2007, I conducted surveillance in Taj Hotel (Mumbai) many times
- Conducted surveillance of Hotel Taj’s (Mumbai) 2nd floor when I stayed with my wife Faiza
- Sajid Mir (LeT) asked me to conduct recce of second floor of Hotel Taj (Mumbai), I discussed everything with Major Iqbal
- Sajid Mir (LeT) and Major Iqbal were satisfied with the photography and videography done of Hotel Taj (Mumbai)
- I gave the videography of second floor of Taj Hotel (Mumbai) to Sajid Mir (LeT) and Major Iqbal
- During my surveillance in Mumbai, Sajid Mir (LeT) asked me to specifically conduct a surveillance of Siddhivinayak Temple
- I did the surveillance of multiple targets and selected landing sites
- Multiple targets included Taj Mahal Palace Hotel (Mumbai), Naval, Air station, Maharashtra Police state headquarters, Oberoi Hotel and CST.
- This included the video of Leopold cafe, Colaba Police Station and shops and Restaurants which are on the same road
- During this surveillance, I also made the video of Bhagat Singh Marg road in Colaba
- During my surveillance in Mumbai, I used GPS device to store the locations
- GPS device was provided to me by Sajid Mir(LeT)&Abu Khafa, so that I could save various locations including locations in Arabian Sea
- After my surveillance in Mumbai, I handed over the GPS device to Sajid Mir (LeT)
- In 2006, I also stayed as a paying guest near Breach Candy hospital (Shyam Niwas,Mumbai)
- I submitted the the final videography and photography survey to Major Iqbal and Sajid Mir (LeT)
- ISI provides financial, military & moral support to terrorist organisations LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammad & Hizbul Mujahideen