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| 26/11: Remote-controlled from Pakistan |
| Thursday November 5, 2009 |
| For years now, as a journalist I have been covering the day-to-day hearings of various terror trials. Attacks that have killed hundreds and have always attempted to butcher the 'spirit of Mumbai'. The Ghatkopar BEST bus blast, the 7/11 attack on crowded trains, blasts at Mulund, Vile Parle and the Bombay Central railway stations, the twin blasts that shook the Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar, the series of bomb blasts by the Indian Mujahideen across the country and of course, who can forget the 1993 Bombay blasts. But who is targeting us? Why the anti-India rhetoric that brainwashes innocent boys and sends them packing to the schools of fundamentalism? What is their agenda? What do they really want beyond Kashmir? Questions that each time, the police across the country, the home ministry, the armed forces - every one - have answered by accusing Pakistan. Of Pakistan, being the "epicentre of terror" as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh put it. And of Pakistan-based terrorist organisations like the Lashkar-e-Toiba and others, all being blamed for masterminding such attacks with the covert backing of the ISI. But what has always been somewhat missing is the 'undeniable' evidence that removes all such doubts about the elements in Pakistan who are supporting these acts. During the 1993 Bombay blast case, grenades were found with 'Made in Pakistan' seals. It was alleged, these were planted. The RDX which was smuggled in also came from Karachi. Again, it was argued, they could have been planted by India to malign Pakistan. The confessions given by the accused - most now convicted and the special TADA court has also upheld the veracity and voluntariness of their confessions - again revealed how Dawood Ibrahim with the help of Pakistan's ISI, planned what has till date been the deadliest attack on India. Again, these confessions, many claimed were forced out from the accused. But when 26/11 happened, Pakistan was the one struggling to ward off the 'undeniable' proof collected by India and the US. On November 3, 2009 - day 127 of what is now popularly also known as the Kasab trial - the prosecution presented in court one such piece of evidence. Portions selected from the hours of telephonic conversations that took place between the terrorists in Mumbai, their various handlers in Pakistan and even a Generalbhai perhaps from the Pakistani Army. For the first time, we also got to hear how Israel was making desperate efforts - all the way from Washington - to save their citizens from the clutches of terrorists at Nariman House. An interesting aside. During the negotiations, the Israeli official who goes by the name Levi asks the terrorist, what did he want. The terrorist immediately demands for the safe release of his colleague who had just been captured alive by the police at Marine Drive, Girgaon Chowpatty. The terrorist had earlier been told by his handlers monitoring the Indian media that Ismail - the seniormost of the 10 terrorists who attacked Mumbai - had been captured. Little did he or his handlers then know that it was the much-junior Ajmal Kasab who had been nabbed. So when this part was played in the open court, Kasab began to giggle. Overjoyed, that after all, his handlers and colleagues did care for him and wanted him out. Happy, that it was for his release, the lives of several Jews was at stake. Numbed by the thought, that the Israeli government was almost made to crawl on its knees, forced to negotiate with his ilk, for his release in exchange for the lives of the Chabad House Jews. In all probability, in Kasab's circles, this is the greatest achievement one can aspire for. A yet-to-be-'martyr' knocking at the doors of jannat. But little did Kasab know that his colleagues weren't even aware that he - Kasab - had been captured. And nor were they negotiating for him. It was for his buddy, Ismail, who had by then been killed by the Mumbai Police. But moving beyond Kasab, these audio conversations throw some light into the dark and complex world of terrorists. Hear them. At times, their all-too-apparent indoctrination, will make you shrink with fear. The casualness with which blood is spilled, hostages threatened will send a chill down your spine. At others, their stupidity will make you wonder how 10 buffoons - guided by their handlers - could take on the might of the NSG and the Indian Army. Hear, the original audio conversations of what happened during the 26/11 attack. Tell us, what you think of the men who kept India hostage for 3 days. 26/11 Terror Tapes: Listen Here |
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Tejas Mehta is a Mumbai-based journalist with NDTV 24X7. He is a daily news reporter who enjoys being in the field. Now a broadcast journalist, he was earlier with the print media.
