India Slams Pak Over Missing Conspirators From Terror List
Nov 13, 2020 | Pratirodh Bureau
FILE PHOTO: The 26/11 terror attacks took place at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station, Cama Hospital, Nariman House business and residential complex, Leopold Cafe, Taj Hotel and Tower and the Oberoi-Trident Hotel
India on Thursday rejected Pakistan’s latest list of terrorists involved in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, saying it “glaringly omits” the mastermind and key conspirators of the terror strike.
In a strongly-worded reaction on the issue, the spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs, Anurag Srivastava, said India has repeatedly called on Pakistan to give up its “obfuscation and dilatory tactics” in discharging its international obligations in the Mumbai terror attack trial.
“We have seen media reports in Pakistan about Pakistan’s Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) releasing an updated ‘book on most wanted/high profile terrorists’ listing several Pakistani nationals involved in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks,” he said.
“While the list includes a select few members of the Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, a UN designated terror entity based in Pakistan, including the crew members of the boats used to execute the 26/11 attack, it glaringly omits the mastermind and key conspirators of the heinous terror attack,” Mr Srivastava said.
According to reports, a total of 19 terrorists were named as those involved in the attack.
“It is a fact that the 26/11 terror attack was planned, executed and launched from Pakistan’s territory. The list makes it clear that Pakistan possesses all the necessary information and evidence on the conspirators and facilitators of the Mumbai terror attack based in Pakistan,” Mr Srivastava said.
On November 26, 2008, a group of Pakistani terrorists sneaked into Mumbai through the sea, arriving by boat from Karachi, and went on a rampage, carrying out coordinated attacks on the main Chhatrapati Shivaji railway terminus, the Taj Mahal hotel, the Trident hotel, and a Jewish centre.
A total of 166 people, including 28 foreigners, were killed in the nearly 60-hour assault.
“The government of India has repeatedly called on the government of Pakistan to give up its obfuscation and dilatory tactics in discharging its international obligations in the Mumbai terror attacks trial,” he said.
“It is a matter of serious concern that despite its own public acknowledgement as well as the availability of all necessary evidence, including that shared by India, Pakistan is yet to show sincerity in delivering justice to the families of 166 victims from 15 countries across the globe, even as we near the 12th anniversary of 26/11 attacks,” he added.
Replying to a separate question on reports about the killing of an 82-year-old Ahmadi man in Peshawar in Pakistan, Mr Srivastava said it is a sad reflection on the state of minorities in Pakistan.
“We have seen media reports of an 82-year-old Ahmadi man believed to have been shot and killed by some gunmen, apparently because of his faith in Peshawar. This is, unfortunately, a sad reflection of the state of minorities in Pakistan,” he said.
“Over a period of time, we have seen the space for people from the minority community to practise their religion shrink continuously. Besides, their condition remains deplorable,” Mr Srivastava said.