26/11 Mumbai attacks: Nawaz Sharif finally admits Pakistan's hand
In possibly the first such admission, former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif has hinted at the involvement of cross-border terrorists in the deadly 26/11 Mumbai attacks. "Militant organizations are active. Call them non-state actors, should we allow them to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai?" he told Dawn in an interview. Sharif was recently barred from office for life over corruption.
166 people died in the three-day siege 8 years ago
On November 26, 2008, 10 terrorists entered Mumbai with backpacks, grenades and automatic weapons, in what was the beginning of three days of horror. In the next few days, they launched 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks at various locations, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Taj Palace & Tower, and Leopold Café. 166 people, including 15 policemen, died. Three hundred were injured.
India blames Pakistani agencies for the attack
India has long accused the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed of masterminding the attacks, partly due to the confession of Ajmal Kasab, the sole attacker nabbed alive. After much hesitation, Pakistan confirmed in 2009 that Lashkar planned and carried out the attacks. Under pressure, Islamabad arrested some Lashkar and Jamaat terrorists, including Seed, but briefly. The trial is still ongoing in Pakistan.
'Why can't we complete the trial? It's absolutely unacceptable'
Commenting on the stalled trial at a Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court, Sharif asked, "Why can't we complete the trial? It's absolutely unacceptable. This is exactly what we're struggling for. President Putin has said it. President Xi has said it." However, he didn't name any particular outfit.
Sharif, ousted in Panama Papers, out of office forever
Last month, Sharif, who resigned from his PM post in July'17 after the SC disqualified him from office in the Panama Papers case, was barred from holding office for life. He cannot contest elections or become a member of parliament, the court declared. However, he continues to maintain his hold on the ruling PML-N party. Pakistan will see its general elections later this year.
