The Taj hotel in Mumbai was one of the targets of the deadly attacks. (AFP File photo)
Highlights
- Boat named Al Fauz was used by terrorists from Karachi towards Mumbai
- Boat is docked at Karachi, is crucial evidence: Pak prosecutors
- Court asks 26/11 mastermind Lakhvi why boat should not be examined
A boat that was used by the ten Pakistani terrorists who sailed into Mumbai and laid siege to the city for a deadly 72 hours could soon be examined by experts in Pakistan.
Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the mastermind of the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, is among those who have been asked to explain their stand about the inspection of the Al Fauz, which is now docked at Karachi. A court in Pakistan has set the next date of hearing on the 22nd.
Ujjwal Nikam, the special prosecutor handling the 26/11 case in India, said this should be considered progress in Pakistan's attempts to try Lakhvi, who was controversially granted bail last year and is a top leader of the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba. He is among seven people being tried in Pakistan for the attack on Mumbai.
"The only thing that will be decided in this hearing is whether they will appoint a commission to inspect the boat or not," said Mr Nikam.
Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi is chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba which carried out the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
Lakhvi's lawyers and others had argued that the Al Fauz should not be inspected by a special team of experts appointed by the court.
Al-Fauz is in the custody of Pakistani authorities in Karachi, from where the 10 terrorists, armed with AK-47 assault rifles and hand grenades, left for India to carry out the Mumbai attack that claimed 166 lives. Ajmal Kasab was the lone terrorist to be captured alive; he was executed in 2012.
The 26/11 attackers, according to prosecutors, used three boats including the Al Fauz to reach Mumbai from Karachi. Near Mumbai, they hijacked an Indian boat, the Kuber, killing four of its crew.
India has repeatedly complained to Pakistan about the many delays in the trial of Lakhvi, which it offers as proof of Islambad's reluctance to punish terrorists involved in attacking India.