How the secret operation to shift Kasab for hanging unfolded
What's the story
For the policemen involved in the covert operation to shift 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab from Mumbai to Pune, the phrase "Parcel reached Fox" signaled that the van carrying him had reached the jail where he was to be hanged the next day.
A senior police official involved in carrying out operation said this was one of the seven code words/phrases used during the exercise.
Involved
Only Home Minister, few top police officials knew the codes
The official said that only the then Home Minister R R Patil and a few top police officials were aware of the code words/phrases used during the exercise.
The code "Parcel reached Fox" was the last code exchanged between two senior officials involved in the operation to transport Kasab, he said.
The hand-picked team was tasked with shifting Kasab from Mumbai to Pune.
Process
Kasab was covered in a 'burqa' during the shifting
The team was tasked with shifting Kasab from the high security 'Anda Cell' of Arthur Road prison in Central Mumbai to Yerwada Central Prison in Pune.
The lone terrorist captured alive during the 26/11 attacks was covered in a 'burqa' while being taken out of his cell on the night of November 20, 2012, and put in a police vehicle, the officer recalled.
Details
Death warrant was served to Kasab seven days before execution
"It was a big responsibility to transport him to Yerwada prison to be hanged. A death-warrant was served to him seven days before the execution," the official said.
The 'Force One' commando team of police, carrying advanced weapons, accompanied Kasab's vehicle.
A State Reserve Police Force team was trailing the vehicle a little behind, so as not to arouse suspicions on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
The execution
'During the entire journey, Kasab didn't utter a single word'
Except for two handsets, mobile phones of officers involved in the operation were switched off and packed in a bag.
"During the entire three-hour-long journey, Kasab did not utter a single word," the officer said. His demeanor did not change even when he was handed over to the Yerwada prison authorities at around 3 am, he added.
Kasab was executed on November 21, 2012.