Pakistan sends letter rogatory seeking samples of ‘pink foam’ from 26/11

A similar LR issued by a Chicago court in January 2011,seeking samples of physical evidence required by the FBI,is pending with a Mumbai court. Mumbai Police has indicated its reluctance to part with the samples,because alleged LeT operative Zabiuddin Ansari,believed to be the “Abu Jundal” who directed the terrorists by phone from the control room in Karachi,is awaiting trial in the 26/11 case.

A week ago,Mumbai Police received a letter,dated July 1,from Om Prakash,under secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs,saying that Pakistan had asked for samples of the pink foam. The ministry asked the police whether the foam was available,and could be shared with Pakistan.

The LR from the additional district magistrate in Islamabad is addressed to the Court of Sessions at Arthur Road in Mumbai. It was issued on the request of Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA),after India informed the Pakistanis in August 2009 that all material objects seized during the investigation had been deposited with the trial court,and suggested that the competent court in Pakistan issue an LR addressed to the trial court.

The Islamabad court has stated that similar pink foam had been seized from a “training centre in Karachi”,and a comparison and analysis was required to establish the connection between seven accused facing trial in the 26/11 case in Pakistan and the attacks in Mumbai.

In his request to the Islamabad court,FIA assistant director Zahid Akhtar said that India was first asked “30+2 questions” on February 12,2009,to which India replied on March 13,2009. On April 13,Pakistan sought further material,to which New Delhi responded on May 20,providing the confessional statement of Ajmal Kasab in Hindi. India gave an English translation in June 2009.

On August 1,India responded to material sought by Pakistan on July 11. While providing additional documents,India expressed its inability to provide copies of some statements. The request for pink foam was made by Pakistan after going through these documents.