Former Mumbai-cop recalls conversation with Kasab, urge to kill him
Asif Mulani, who is currently posted with the Maharashtra State Police Housing Corporation (MSPHC), served as a police commando when Mumbai was attacked by terrorists on November 26 in 2008. Mulani was one of the police officers responsible for Ajmal Kasab's security and he recalled telling the LeT recruit that heavens would not forgive him for spilling innocents' blood, reports HT. Here's his story.
Backstory: In terror attack, nearly 166 people died
In the infamous attack on Mumbai, 10 members of LeT killed nearly 166 people, including many police officers. The incident brought the country to a standstill, and ten years on, Mulani still remembers the details of the night. He told the daily he heard gunshots from behind the washroom, which shared its boundary with the backyard of the Cama and Albless Hospital.
Mulani knew bullets were fired from AK-47
Mulani identified that the bullets were fired from AK-47 rifles. Later, he learned Kasab and Ismail Khan found their way to the hospital. On directions of senior officer Arun Chavan, Mulani and his accomplice tried securing the hospital's rear gate. Soon, additional commissioner Ashok Kamte rushed to the lane leading up to the hospital, and Mulani remembered both of them came under fire.
Kamte and Karkare left in the ill-fated vehicle
Kamte pulled Mulani closer to him, saving him from bullets which were fired at the place he was standing. He said he owed his life to Kamte saheb. He said Kamte and Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare left in a Qualis, which terrorists captured later, and asked them to hold their positions.
My biggest regret is I couldn't save Kamte sahib: Mulani
"Around 6 AM, I came to know that Kamte sahib, Karkare sahib, [Inspector Vijay] Salaskar sahib were no more. I felt devastated. I will live with the biggest regret in my life that I could not save Kamte sahib," Mulani told HT.
Kasab was surprised to see Hindu-Muslim harmony here, says Mulani
Later on, Mulani was part of the team of officers tasked with Kasab's security. He said none of them left for home for a month. When Kasab realized some of them were Muslims, he started talking to them, Mulani said. The terrorist was surprised to see Hindus and Muslims eating together. "He could not comprehend that we live peacefully," said Mulani.
Mulani says it was difficult to control his emotions
One day Kasab told Mulani about 'Muslims being persecuted in India' and how he was picked up by Lashkar-e-Taiba's second-in-command Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and was convinced to wage war against India. "I felt like killing him [Kasab] for what he has done to my friends, colleagues and my mentor Kamte sahib. It was really tough to control my emotions," Mulani said.
Cop told terrorist heavens will not forgive him
Mulani also remembered losing his cool on Kasab for what he had done. The cop told the terrorist, "The heavens will not forgive for what you've done. You deserve punishment for spilling innocent blood." Kasab was hanged on November 21, 2012.
