LeT wanted to target Thackeray: David Headley

Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley on Thursday specifically named late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray and said that Laskhar-e-Taiyyaba (LeT) wanted to target the leader. Headley also mentioned about a person who attempted to kill Bal Thackeray and was detained by the police, but escaped from police custody.

While answering questions asked by advocate Khan Abdul Wahab, the defence lawyer of Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal, Headley revealed some new important facts, including that his visit for reconnaissance of targets in Mumbai for the 26/11 terror attack was funded by Pakistani intelligence agency ISI.

“LeT wanted to eliminate Shiv Sena chief His name was Bal Thackeray,” said Headley when the defence lawyer asked him the purpose of his visit to Shiv Sena Bhavan in Dadar. When asked if LeT made any more attempts on Bal Thackeray’s life, Headley replied that he did not have first-hand knowledge of it, but according to him there was an attempt on his life and the person who tried to attack him was detained by the police and escaped from custody later. Headley could not furnish any further details about this attempt. He also said that he had visited Shiv Sena Bhavan twice and he was not aware who else was on LeT’s list apart from Bal Thackeray. The special court in Mumbai conducting trial in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks case on Thursday recorded the cross-examination of the terrorist-turned-approver for the second day.

On a question asked by advocate Khan, Headley said that he had bought two shops in Dubai in 2004 or 2005 for nearly US$ 2,000 and both the shops are still functional. Refusing to give out the address of these shops, he said that his relatives were taking care of the shops. When the defence alleged that LeT was looking after those shops and that those shops were still being used to fund the LeT, Headley replied “subhan allah”. The defence wanted this word to be interpreted as an affirmation to his question, but Headley said that it was “advocate Abdul Wahab’s imagination.”

After this answer, special judge G.A. Sanap asked Headley to answer questions as simple yes or no, instead of saying subhan allah or other words so that they are not misinterpreted. Following this, he said because of the height of defence’s imagination he was surprised and used the word but, “insha allah” he would take care in the future.