Author: Amir Mir
Publication: DNA (Daily News & Analysis)
Date: January 05, 2009
URL: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1218865
Islamabad is in a fix on how to react to the
letter written by Mohammad Ajmal, the lone Mumbai attacker captured alive.
In his letter, Kasab claimed to be a Pakistani from Faridkot village and a
Lashkar-e-Taiba operative who killed many people in Mumbai on November 26.
New Delhi sent Ajmal's letter and confessional
statement to the Pakistani authorities on December 23, saying he wanted legal
assistance before his police remand comes to an end on January 6. It also
asked Pakistan to inform the Indian High Commission in Islamabad whether or
not it wants to provide him legal assistance.
Ten days later, the interior ministry and
the foreign office circles say they are still examining the letter, besides
trying to ascertain if Kasab was a Pakistani.
Pakistan interior ministry sources say the
National Data Registration Authority (NADRA) lacks data to confirm Kasab's
claim of being a Pakistani. But, they added that the authorities have not
yet concluded investigations.
Ajmal has given a detailed account of his
training, his trainers, his role and those of the nine others in the Mumbai
attack. Although he mentioned the nine others, he requested the Pakistani
high commission to claim the body of his friend, Abu Ismail, and take it for
burial to Pakistan. Even the Mumbai Crime Branch have reportedly written to
the high commission asking them to claim the bodies of the nine Pakistanis.
But Pakistan is yet to respond to the letters.
