The spirit of the two Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists who attacked the Trident-Oberoi hotels on 26/11 was flagging as their ammunition began to run out and the National Security Guard (NSG) commandos intensified their counter-terror operations but their handlers in Pakistan insisted that the two attackers should not be captured alive and motivated them to stay the course saying they would be embraced by Allah in their death.

Excerpts of their phone conversations were presented by the prosecution in the Special Sessions Court holding the trial into the carnage. Indian security agencies had intercepted conversations between the terrorists and their handlers and recorded them for evidence. Last week, the court heard conversations between the terrorists at the Taj Mahal Hotel and the handlers. At The Oberoi, with one of the terrorists gunned down by the NSG, a Pakistan-based handler tells the other gunman to be courageous and continue fighting until he is killed.

Fahadullah: Abdul Rehman bhaiyya Allah ko pyare ho gaye (Brother Abdul Rehman is dead).

Handler: Allah Qabool kare, mere veer sabar karna hain. Himmat karni hain, aur muqabla karna hain datke (May Allah embrace him. You have to be patient, have courage and carry on fighting).

Fahadullah, who is holed up in a bathroom on one of the floors of the hotel, with the NSG having taken over the neighbouring rooms, takes stock of the ammunition left with him. The handler then gives him detailed instructions on how to attempt an escape from the room.

Handler: Fahadullah mere veer, ladai ki koi shikast banti nahin, ki aap bahar aakar lade. Grenade phekkar waha se nikalne ki koshish karey, kahi aur jaa sakey (My brave Fahadullah, you have to come out and fight. Try to escape to another position by lobbing hand grenades)

... contd.