26/11 trial verdict is a message to Pakistan: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI - Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday said the 26/11 Mumbai terror case judgement should seen as a clear message to Pakistan.

Interacting with media here after a Mumbai Special Court had convicted lone surviving Pakistani terrorist of 26/11 attack Ajmal Amir Kasab of all 86 charges, including waging war against India, Chidambaram said that at least now, Pakistan should stop exporting terror to India.

“If they do(exporting terrorism) and we apprehend terrorists, then we will bring them to justice,” Chidambaram said.

For the first time in Indian judicial history, it was established in a court of law that Pakistan was involved in an act of terrorism and of waging war against India.

Judge M L Tahiliyani said the way the ten terrorists countered the elite National Security Guards (NSG) had clearly established that they were trained to fight a war.

Though no direct evidences were mentioned against Lashkar-e Taiba leader Hafiz Saeed and Zakir -ur -Rehman, the court found them guilty based on Kasab’s confessional statement.

Chidambaram expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the trial and complimented the concerned agencies for “marshalling evidence and proving guilt beyond doubt”.

He added that Kasab was given all rights of an open trial and the case had ended in a conviction.

“Kasab’s trial reiterated that India is governed by a Rule of Law, ” he said.

Pronouncing the verdict in a courtroom at the Arthur Road Jail here, Judge M L Tahiliyani described the 26/11 attacks as clear act of war against India. (ANI)