V. Balachandran, the former senior RAW official and member of the two-member committee, which investigated the police performance during the 26/11 attacks, told this newspaper that after convicted terrorist David Coleman Headley’s deposition in Indian court, we should use the judicial route to put International pressure on Pakistan through the United Nations and by political lobbying. Amid wide debate that Headley should have been brought back and convicted for his crimes here, Mr. Balachandran said that we had to choose the lesser evil from two evils.
Mr. Balachandran said, “We need to prepare a report on all the terror activities carried out by Pakistan on Indian soil for over 26 years now. The report should include the attack in Kashmir Assembly, Parliament attack, Akshardham temple attack, the 26/11 attacks and all other attacks carried out by Pakistan. LeT is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Also, Headley’s deposition shows they were planning more attacks.”
“Terrorism is going on as usual in Pakistan. We need to submit this report to the United Nations and put International pressure on Pakistan. There are UN conventions on terrorism signed by Pakistan also. They have breached them. We also need to do strategic political lobbying with US, British, Canada, and Australia. It involves a lot of hard work, but we need to start,” he added.
Mr. Balachandran said that Pakistan is least bothered about the Indian diplomacy and dialogues.
The crime branch, Mumbai succeeded in bringing 55-year-old Pakistani-American David Coleman Headley evidence on record in Indian court in which he has spilled beans about role of Pakistan’s Intelligence agency ISI and Lashkar-e-Toiba in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks case.
Though Headley did not speak anything about Sayed Zabiuddin who is facing the trial, he has told a lot about role of the ISI and other terror organisations.
Headley's deposition before the special court in Mumbai is expected to help India in proving that Pakistan is housing terror organisations including but not limited to LeT and, Al-Qaeda and that all these organisations have ISI’s support.
He sang and how
Last week, Pakistani-American LeT operative David Headley deposed before a Mumbai court via video link and made a plethora of revelations.
Why is his deposition significant?
The deposition of Headley assumes significance as it may unravel the conspiracy behind the brazen terror strike, which left 166 people dead.
In which case is he appearing?
The court is currently trying key plotter Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal, who is facing trial for his alleged role in the terror attacks, which held the city to ransom for three days.
From Dawood to Headley
Headley, who is currently serving 35 years sentence in the US for his role in terror attacks, said he changed his name from Daood Gilani to Headley in 2006 so that he could enter India and set up business.
LeT and Al-Qaeda were convinced that 26/11 attack masterminds Hafiz Saeed and Zakiur Rehman would face only “superficial” action from the Pakistani authorities and within months plans were afoot for another terror strike in India, he said.
Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI provides “financial, military and moral support” to terror outfits LeT, JeM and Hizbul Mujahideen, he said.
Most probably, one of the biggest revelations by him was on Ishrat Jahan. Headley said that young Ishrat was an operative of LeT.
No end to mayhem
Headley said that the Al-Qaeda was in touch with him to attack Delhi’s National Defence College and unravelled the plot by LeT and ISI to target Mumbai airport, Barc and the Naval air station in Mumbai.
