Mumbai attacks gunman Ajmal Kasab hanged
Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab. — File Photo by AP
MUMBAI: The sole surviving gunman from the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, was executed on Wednesday, nearly four years after 166 people were killed in a three-day rampage through India’s financial capital.
Pakistan-born Kasab was hanged at Yerwada jail in Pune in the western state of Maharashtra after President Pranab Mukherjee rejected his pleas for mercy earlier this month.
“Kasab was transferred to Yerwada jail two days ago. He was hanged at 7:30 this morning (0200 GMT),” Maharashtra home minister R.R. Patil announced to reporters in Mumbai. “His execution is a fitting tribute to the victims of Mumbai attacks.”
The 25-year-old Kasab was one of 10 gunmen who laid siege to the city in attacks that began on November 26, 2008, and lasted nearly three days. It was the deadliest militant onslaught on Indian soil since independence.
He was sentenced to death in May 2010 after he was found guilty of a string of charges, including waging war against India, murder and terrorist acts.
During the attacks, the heavily-armed gunmen stormed targets in Mumbai including luxury hotels, a Jewish centre, a hospital and a bustling train station.
Kasab initially pleaded not guilty at his trial but later confessed, admitting he was one of the gunmen sent by the LeT.
At his trial, the prosecution produced fingerprint, DNA, eyewitness and TV footage evidence showing him opening fire and throwing grenades at Mumbai’s main railway station in the bloodiest episode of the attacks.
When his trial began in 2009, Kasab at first appeared relaxed, joking or smiling at lawyers and reporters.
But he seemed increasingly sullen, withdrawn and even asleep as the trial progressed, prompting fears for his mental state. He showed no emotion in the dock when the verdict was handed down.
Kasab appealed in the Supreme Court, claiming he did not receive a fair trial but his petition was struck down in August.
During his appeal, Kasab argued that he was denied proper legal representation and that some charges against him were not proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
“I was denied a fair trial,” Kasab said in a statement when his appeal hearing began in January. “I may be guilty of killing people and carrying out a terrorist act but I am not guilty of waging war against the state.”
Pakistan informed about Kasab hanging: India
India’s government said it informed Islamabad in advance of the decision to hang Kasab, but their Pakistani counterparts refused to accept the letter.
Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde told reporters in New Delhi he had even ended up sending a fax to Islamabad after the letter was rebuffed. Other officials said a similar message had been couriered to Kasab’s family.
“The external affairs ministry gave the letter to Pakistan but Pakistan did not accept it. Then we faxed the letter,” Shinde said.
The 25-year-old Kasab, from the village of Faridkot in the Punjab region, was hanged at Yerwada jail in the Indian city of Pune after President Pranab Mukherjee rejected his pleas for mercy earlier this month.
India’s Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid said the government had followed diplomatic protocol by informing Pakistan in advance about the execution.
“We attempted to convey to the Pakistan foreign office that this decision had been taken and the execution will be done this morning,” Khurshid said.
“Since those missives were not accepted by the foreign office, by fax we indicated the information to them.”
Prithviraj Chavan, the local state chief minister, said Kasab had been buried inside Yerwada jail while Indian Home Secretary R. K. Singh said his family had been kept informed.
In a statement carried by Pakistan’s state PTV channel, foreign ministry spokesman Moazzam Ahmad Khan was quoted as saying that “the Indian deputy high commissioner informed us about the execution” of Kasab.
“Pakistan’s stance is very clear. Pakistan condemns all forms of terrorism,” he added. “Pakistan is cooperating with the international community.”
Justice served!
Glad to see many muslims (presumably indian) to applaud this guys death. The average hindu doesnt hate pakistan or muslims at all. they just say that you have to oppose death and destruction in our own country whether by hindus or muslims or any one else. The only way indians will trust muslims is when they come out in the open opposing archaic and incorrect interpretations of the Holy Quran, and integrate nationally. However finally the indian government grew a spine, characterless that it is.
Please dont discriminate hindus and muslims. We are all humans and belong to one community this discrimination is just started by us on the name of god who is also one for all………
yes, when a terrorist kills people, the bullet does not hit a particular religion of people. It hits all. So a terrorist has no religion. And kasab was just a man placed thr by mastermind. Th emastermind shd be nabbed and punished,..!! That is most imp.
good said
I would like to request my Pakistani counter part , as i am regular follow your country up-date , it appears you have much more Kasab killing innocense ,,,arrange same FATE for them ,for peace in region.
India blames the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant organisation for training, equipping and financing the gunmen with support from “elements”in the Pakistan military
sir jee, this is not a blame,,, this is bitter truth and your goverement should accept it.
Dawn & TV journalists themselves have smoked out Kasab’s parents whereabouts in Pakistan, inspite of LeT’s attempts to hide them with the help of Pakistan Govt. & ISI….Inspite of all these proofs, if Dawn is using the word “blames” it should be because of the overarching presence of Army & ISI in Pakistan.
It is too sad that Pakistani intelligence is not able to apprehending hundreds of Indian Ajamal Kasabs running havoc in Baluchistan and other part of Pakistan. It is mere laziness on Pakistan’s part.
Its sad the trial took so long. However, in the end, justice has prevailed
good news -
happy to hear abt his execution
Death is always Sad whether legal or illegal and not a thing to be happy about. Kasab was send to India to kill and die. However, the world should execute the masterminds and not the poor kids who are just tools……
I am much interested in reading the comments rather then the article….at least some one write something……
at last justice is done for mumbai victims.
There is no justice for the 166 dead. This is only application of rule of law for the crime. BTW he was just an uneducated,weak minded brainwashed youngster under the control of devilish LeT.
atlast justice has been delivered !
God is great!!!
Very good news.
Good riddance
A mere pawn in the whole conspiracy has been eliminated. The real conspirators who could be planning more such attacks remain at large.
Till both governments sit down with open hearts, this would not get resolved. He may be a small part of the entire thing but is responsible for what he did (& deserves the penalty). Lets hope we get leaders who can stop this happening ever again
Such terrorists are a pain for the entire world – well done govt. of India – you took the decision well – though late -
He came to India on a suicide mission. keeping alive would have been a better punishment for him.
any way May God Bless Us all
Peace be upon EVERY ONE
who will pay for the expense?
Good riddance
Good Riddance At least got to live 4 more years
Guilty should be punished irrespective of his birth soil , religion, caste , creed , colour, community. criminal , terrorists are not only the enemy but also the enemy of whole society. No nation should keep fire of terrorists in her pocket . Terrorists like KASAB deserves to such punishment. But it was too late to get such punishment burdening the safety expenses on Govt. exchequer. Killers should be killed by cruelly by the arms of the state.
Justice done. Now the enemity is deep buried with his death. Let his soul rest in peace and take journey towards eternity
May God cleanse his soul!!
Finally Justice done
good riddance
Great for justice and peace
The masterminds are still alive !