“The attackers were the product of a terror culture which has penetrated, has firm roots and is well established in Pakistan. The attackers were so well acquainted and well equipped with arms and ammunition that this is not possible without proper training from army officials,” Nikam told the court.

He said a Pakistani army officer, Col R Sadatulla, who is wanted in the case, had accessed an e-mail ID used by the masterminds of the attack to set up a connection with a telecom server through which the attackers and their handlers in Pakistan communicated. These facts clearly indicate the Pakistani establishment’s involvement, Nikam added.

Nikam read Kasab’s confession about an unnamed Pakistani Major General having supervised the training of the 10 attackers.

“Abu Hafiz Saeed said, ‘Now it is time to do jihad. We have to decide how to attack Hindustan.’ After that Zaki-ur-Rehman said, ‘India’s financial stronghold is Mumbai so it is important to attack Mumbai. All you mujahideen have acquired good sea training. We will attack Mumbai using the sea route. At that time Major General sahab came,” Nikam read.

“He hugged Amir Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman and they went further away and he was talking to them. After some time, he came to us and Zaki-ur-Rehman said that Major General sahab would like to see our preparation. Immediately we were given one kalshan (Kalashnikov) each with a full magazine. Major General sahab told Amir Hafiz Saeed to put targets. Amir Hafiz Saeed asked Abu Kahfa to put 10 targets,” the confession said.

... contd.