26/11 case: Non-bailable warrant against 12 Pak-based accused

A Mumbai court trying the case of Lashkar-e-Taiba operative and 26/11 key handler Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal, on issued non-bailable warrant against 12 more accused in the Mumbai terror attacks case.

The court has issued NBW against 12 more persons, Special Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told mediapersons in Mumbai. All these accused are allegedly based in Pakistan.

Earlier the court which conducted trial against terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Kasab had issued NBW against 35 accused. With this, the total number of wanted terrorists in the 26/11 case has gone up to 47.

Those against whom NBW have been issued include Major Sameer, Sajid Mir alias Vashi and Commander Yakub.

Sajid, according to police, was present at the control room set up in Pakistan during the strikes, which left 166 dead and many more injured on November 26, 2008.

The Mumbai police, last month, had filed draft charges against Jundal.

In the charge submitted, Jundal was charged on 22 different counts that include criminal conspiracy, waging war against the nation, murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping for murder, cheating, forgery under the Indian Penal Code.

While other charges are under sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Act, Explosive substance Act Prevention of damage to public property Act, Railways Act and Customs Act.

A native of Beed district in Maharashtra, Jundal was interrogated after he was brought here from Delhi where he had been arrested following his deportation from Saudi Arabia in June 2012.

The chargesheet has details about Jundal's training in Pakistan, preparations ahead of 26/11, LeT hierarchy, the precise role played those involved, etc.

According to Jundal's confession, LeT training camps enjoyed full support from local, federal police and paramilitary organisations in Pakistan.

As per the chargesheet, after fleeing Maharashtra, Jundal entered Bangladesh in May 2006, where he was received by an ISI agent. He then used a boarding pass issued in a fictitious name to fly PIA flight to Pakistan.

In Maharashtra, Jundal is also accused of involvement in 2006 Aurangabad arms haul case, 2010 German Bakery blast case in Pune and Nashik police academy attack conspiracy case.

Image: The burning Taj Mahal Hotel during the 26/11 terror strikes in Mumbai

Photograph: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com