LeT wanted to paint 26/11 attack as 'Hindu terrorism'
What's the story
Lashkar-e-Taiba, the hated terrorist organization which executed the Mumbai attacks years ago, wanted to pass it off as a case of "Hindu terrorism".
This stunning revelation was made by Rakesh Maria, the former commissioner of Mumbai police, in his memoir "Let Me Say It Now".
Maria revealed Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist who was arrested, was to die as a Hindu too.
Context
Terrorists attacked Mumbai, over 150 died
In November 2008, 10 members of LeT entered Mumbai through sea route and unleashed horror on India's financial capital.
They opened fire in crowded areas like Nariman House, CST station, Leopold Cafe, and Taj Hotel.
After taking the lives of dozens, the terrorists took refuge inside the luxury hotel and were eliminated after hours of operation, involving the Mumbai police and Army.
Details
Kasab wasn't swayed by the idea of jihad initially: Maria
Kasab was the only terrorist who was arrested. He was hanged in 2012 but not before he revealed details of how meticulously LeT planned the entire attack.
And now, Maria, who interrogated Kasab almost daily, has revealed what went into the terrorist's mind.
The former top cop revealed that Kasab joined LeT for petty robberies and wasn't interested in "jihad" initially.
Quote
Kasab wanted to improve financial status of his family
"He and his friend Muzaffar Lal Khan wanted to commit robberies to improve their financial status and wanted to get hold of some weapons and training to achieve their nefarious objective," Maria wrote, reports News18.
What he thought
Kasab thought mosques were "locked up", reality bewildered him
According to Maria, Kasab was convinced that Muslims were prohibited from offering Namaz in India and that all mosques were "locked up". He also thought that Azaan which he heard five times a day was a "fragment of his imagination".
"I instructed investigating officer Ramesh Mahale to take him to the mosque," Maria said and added that Kasab was "bewildered" on seeing the reality.
Plans
Kasab tied red thread on his wrist for a reason
One of the most shocking revelations in Maria's book pertains to LeT's sinister plan of damaging India's religious harmony.
The organization wanted Kasab to die as one Samir Dinesh Chaudhari from Bengaluru. To show that he was a Hindu, Kasab also tied the sacred red thread.
"It had not worked that way and here he was, Ajmal Amir Kasab of Faridkot," Maria wrote.
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LeT's plans would have given fodder to media
"There would have been screaming headlines on newspapers claiming how Hindu terrorists had attacked Mumbai. Over the top TV journalists would have made a beeline for Bengaluru to interview his family and neighbors," Maria added.
Challenges
Kasab was wanted by many, including Dawood Ibrahim
Further, Maria disclosed that keeping Kasab alive topped his priority list. "The Mumbai police tried hard to not disclose any details to the media, fearing for the security," he said.
Maria said not only common people but cops also felt rage against Kasab.
He claimed underworld don Dawood Ibrahim was given the task of "eliminating" Kasab. ISI and LeT also wanted to kill him.
Money
Kasab gave money for his sister's wedding
Since Maria interrogated Kasab regularly, they developed a bond and the latter started addressing the cop as "janab".
After undergoing training for three weeks, Kasab was given Rs. 1,25,000 and a week-long holiday to meet his family. He gave the money for his sister's wedding.
Maria claimed LeT initially planned to execute the attack on September 27, 2008, during the month of Ramzan.