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Mumbai hostages killed 'on order of Pakistan handler'
Ed Harris7 Jan 2009
THE Mumbai siege gunmen were told by mobile phone to murder three foreign hostages being held at a hotel, it was revealed today.
According to a leaked transcript of phone calls between one of the terrorists and his handlers, the killer told his bosses: "We have three foreigners, including women."
The response was direct and brutal as he was told: "Kill them." Gunshots rang out inside the hotel, followed by a round of cheering.
The transcripts also reveal that gunmen at a separate site in the city, a Jewish centre where six foreigners were killed, were told to kill their hostages if they felt "threatened".
The evidence was part of a dossier of evidence handed by India to Pakistan this week.
New Delhi says the evidence, which also included photographs of recovered weapons, information from satellite phones, and details from the interrogation of the lone surviving gunman, proves that the Mumbai siege was launched from across the border.
The claim that the attacks came from inside Pakistan will further inflame relations between the countries.
Gunmen stormed two hotels in India's financial capital, a crowded railway station, the Jewish centre and a popular restaurant on 26 November. The attacks lasted three days and left at least 173 people dead, including all but one of the gunmen.
Pakistani authorities today dismissed the evidence as "a propaganda offensive" designed "to whip up tensions" in the region. The transcripts, which were obtained by newspaper The Hindu, show that the 10 gunmen who carried out the attacks were in close contact with their handlers throughout the siege.
India says the men directing the attacks were senior leaders of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based militant group.
The papers reveal that the handler told a gunman inside the Taj Mahal hotel: "There are three ministers and one secretary of the cabinet in your hotel. We don't know in which room."
He added: "Oh, that is good news. It is the icing on the cake." His handler told him to find the government officials - "and then get whatever you want from India".
The handlers in Pakistan told another team of gunmen who had seized the Jewish centre to shoot the hostages if necessary. "If you are still threatened, then don't saddle yourself with the burden of the hostages. Immediately kill them," he said, adding: "If the hostages are killed, it will spoil relations between India and Israel." The gunman replied: "So be it, God willing."
Six Jewish foreigners, including a rabbi and his wife, were killed inside the Jewish centre.
Nearly 24 hours after the attacks began, the handlers urged the gunmen to "be strong in the name of Allah".
They told the killers: "Brother, you have to fight. This is a matter of prestige of Islam.Keep your phone switched on so that we can hear the gunfire."
The surviving gunman, Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab, was remanded in custody yesterday. He faces charges of murder, waging war against a country and criminal conspiracy.
Reader views (9)
The media should do its part too in the battle against terrorism. The terrorists always hide behind their "women and children" whenever they are targeted; just look at the reports of anti-terrorist attacks in Kashmir and in Gaza!
Their utter ruthlessness for the women and children of others should be brought to light!!!!!!
- Elizabeth, Mauritius, 08/01/2009 15:05
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Spot on, Adam!
- Archie, Thrapston, England, 08/01/2009 04:46
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That headline was a bit of a leading comment wasn't it?
Saying a Pakistan handler ordered the deaths implies that it was the Pakistan government. It should have been 'Pakistani' if they were talking about a Pakistani national. It makes no difference to the fact of the suicidal terrorist act and its utter cowardice - but it does make a difference to how the genesis of the attack is perceived.
- Rogan, Irving, 07/01/2009 17:34
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All the proof should be open to public so that it could be determined what is right and what is wrong. Why public should depend on diplomatic statements in instalments.
- Kaiserimam, Harrow UK, 07/01/2009 17:31
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Adam you are 100% correct. Why was no one demonstrating against the terrorists.
- Tzreil, London UK, 07/01/2009 17:24
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Adam, the three 'celebrities' you mention in your post are typical of the moral bankruptcy of today's public persons. They are utterly blinded to the evil that they support. Radical Islam is the most dangerous threat our civilization has faced since the Nazis. To not confront it with all the power and ruthlessness it deserves will lead to tragedy on an epic scale.
- Andrew, London, UK, 07/01/2009 12:42
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I totally agree with you Adam. The Muslim world was in a sickening silent’s while the Mumbai attacks were taking place. Terrorist groups around the world need to be stopped before more innocent people are killed by these animals.
- Jayesh, Wembley, UK, 07/01/2009 12:25
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Pakistan is the centre of world terrorism. Until some serious action is taken against that territory, nothing will improve. All the pussy-footing around by the U.S. and European countries based on diplomatic respect for Pakistan's territorial integrity is getting nowhere and wasting time in resolving the problem. Intensive bombing of the mountain regions in west Pakistan, where terrorists hide with impunity, would be a good starting point. If the Pakistani Government can't control the madmen within its territory, then the rest of world should do it.
- Phil Jones, London UK, 07/01/2009 12:08
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So where were the "We are all Hizbollah Now" protesters when this was kicking off?
Where was Galloway, Livingstone and Annie Lennox?
Where were the thousands of Muslims who should have been shouting "Not in our name"?
The silence was deafening.
- Adam, Harrow, UK, 07/01/2009 11:12
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