Former top cop's admissions about 2008 Mumbai terror attack leave Pakistan red-faced

Pakistan’s persistent lies over its involvement in India’s own 9/11 – the Mumbai terror attacks of 26-29 November, 2008 – have been exposed by its own former top investigator Tariq Khosa who has categorically stated that the attacks were launched from Pakistani soil.

Khosa is no ordinary mortal of Pakistan. He had led his country’s investigations into the Mumbai terror attacks in capacity of chief of Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), a position he was given weeks after the Mumbai mayhem.

Moreover, Khosa’s views have not come as an interview to a TV channel from which he can later wriggle out, but as a signed article in Pakistani leading English daily Dawn. The damning article “Mumbai attacks trial” can be accessed here .

Reuters

Khosa has cited seven reveal-all facts proving Pakistan’s involvement in the Mumbai attacks. It is better to read these seven facts in the very words of Khosa himself.

“The following facts are pertinent. First, Ajmal Kasabwas a Pakistani national, whose place of residence and initial schooling as well as his joining a banned militant organisation was established by the investigators. Second, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists were imparted training near Thatta, Sindh and launched by sea from there. The training camp was identified and secured by the investigators. The casings of the explosive devices used in Mumbai were recovered from this training camp and duly matched. Third, the fishing trawler used by the terrorists for hijacking an Indian trawler in which they sailed to Mumbai, was brought back to harbour, then painted and concealed. It was recovered by the investigators and connected to the accused. Fourth, the engine of the dinghy abandoned by the terrorists near Mumbai harbour contained a patent number through which the investigators traced its import from Japan to Lahore and then to a Karachi sports shop from where an LeT-linked militant purchased it along with the dinghy. The money trail was followed and linked to the accused who was arrested. Fifth, the ops room in Karachi, from where the operation was directed, was also identified and secured by the investigators. The communications through Voice over Internet Protocol were unearthed. Sixth, the alleged commander and his deputies were identified and arrested. Seventh, a couple of foreign-based financiers and facilitators were arrested and brought to face trial.”

It is not just the courage of Khosa which needs to be admired for spilling the beans but “Dawn” also needs to be complimented for fearless journalism. The very fact that such an anti-establishment piece has been published by the Pakistani newspaper shows that the Pakistani press is  perhaps independent and bold.

Incidentally, the former Director General of FIA, has balanced his scathing piece by talking about Pakistan’s concerns about “the botched investigation into the Samjhauta Express bombing” and India’s alleged covert support to insurgency in Balochistan and alleged “terror financing” by India in Karachi and FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas).

Khosa has made some very sane suggestions. One, both India and Pakistan should admit their mistakes and learn to co-exist while trying to resolve thorny issues peacefully. Two, Pakistan as a nation should be prepared to muster courage to face uncomfortable truths and fight the menace of terrorism.

It remains to be seen how the Pakistani government, particularly the military establishment, reacts to Khosa’s stinging article. However, the Indian strategic establishment has reasons to grin from ear to ear over his string of disclosures.

New Delhi can now flaunt this article to the US-led international community with an “Ï told you so” kind of template.

The article by Khosa has come ahead of national security advisor-level talks between India and Pakistan due to be held in New Delhi later this month.

This development will take the wind out of Pakistani sails as their NSA Sartaz Aziz is reportedly coming to India to hand over a “dossier” to his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval about India’s alleged sins of omission and commission on the terror front.

However, New Delhi will do well not to gloat over the Khosa missile. India cannot afford to praise the article selectively and damn the rest when it comes to Pakistani concerns, including Samjhauta Express.

If the two sides are genuinely concerned to improve bilateral ties, the two NSAs would have to listen to their prime ministers’ mandate given to them at Ufa, Russia, to “discuss all issues related to terrorism”. But doing that alone won’t suffice.

For how long India-Pakistan engagements would remain a dialogue of the deaf? The two nuclear armed neighbours have to show maturity and move on from bitter past.