Pakistani-American Lashkar-e-Taiba operative David Headley came to India seven times before 26/11 and once after the terror attacks, he told a Mumbai court today. Headley, who changed his name from Dawood Gilani in 2006 so that he could enter India and set up business, also told the court that his contact in LeT was Sajid Mir, an accused in the case.
Headley was deposing before the court through video conference after being made an approver in the 26/11 attacks case. His deposition may further unravel the conspiracy behind the brazen terror strike. The court is currently trying key plotter Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal.
"This is for the first time in the Indian legal history that a 'foreign terrorist' will appear before an Indian court and testify," Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said.
Nikam said Headley's evidence is important to unfold many facts behind the 26/11 attack. He, however, refused to divulge any further information.
Meanwhile, a Mumbai police official said that Headley can give broader aspect of criminal conspiracy and who all were involved in the attacks which had left 166 dead and 309 others injured.
"He may also bare the role of Pakistan in case," the official said.
The court had on December 10, 2015, made Headly an approver and directed him to depose before the court on February 8.
Headley, who is currently serving 35 years prison sentence in the US for his role in the Mumbai terror attacks, had told Special Judge GA Sanap that he was "ready to depose" if granted pardon.
Judge Sanap had made Headley an approver, subject to certain conditions and granted him pardon.
Presently, the court is trying the case against key LeT operative Abu Jundal.
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