It was 26th November 2008 when a series of terrorist attacks took place in Mumbai by 10 members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan Islamist terrorist organization, killing a total of 175 people and injuring over 300 people. The attack drew widespread global condemnation that carried out 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks lasting four days across Mumbai.
Out of 10 attackers, nine of them died during the Mumbai attack, leaving Ajmal Kasab the only sole surviving attacker.
What type of training was given to the attackers of the Mumbai attack?
A group of men 24 men received training in marine warfare at a remote camp in mountainous Muzaffarabad in Pakistan. Part of the training was reported to have taken place on the Mangla Dam reservoir in Pakistan. From psychological to commando training, the attackers went through different types of training.
Out of them, 10 were selected for the Mumbai mission. They were also trained in swimming and sailing, as well as the use of high-tech weaponry and explosives under the supervision of LeT commanders.
How did Ajmal Kasab and other gangsters plan Mumbai attack?
The terrorists had planned the attack for several months in advance and were familiar enough with some locations to hide and return once security officers had departed. According to many reports, Kasab told authorities that the gang received assistance from Mumbai residents.
The attackers used at least three SIM cards purchased on the Indian side of the border with Bangladesh. Police also stated that Faheem Ansari, an Indian Lashkar agent who was arrested in February 2008, scouted the Mumbai locations for the November attacks.
They were given blueprints of all the four targets – The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident, Nariman House, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.
Which site was attacked by Ajmal Kasab?
Ajmal Kasab with Ismail Khan attacked Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Around 21:30 the attackers entered the passenger hall and opened fire using AK-47 rifles, killing 58 people and injuring 104 others. The two gunmen then fled the location and fired at pedestrians and police officers in the streets, killing eight police officers.
Later, they headed to the police station and then to the hospital to kill the patients. And during that time the gunfire took place between the attackers and the police officers killing 8 police personnel and Ismail Khan, one of the attackers. Kasab was wounded during the gun battle and after a physical struggle, he was arrested.
Ajmal Kasab trial and death penalty!
Kasab’s trial was postponed owing to legal complications since many Indian lawyers refused to defend him. A resolution was approved by the Mumbai Bar Association declaring that none of its members will represent Kasab. The Chief Justice of India, on the other hand, declared that Kasab deserved counsel for a fair trial. On February 25, 2009, Indian investigators issued an 11,000-page charge sheet against Kasab, accusing him of murder, conspiracy, and waging war against India, among other things.
Kasab initially apologized for the attacks and stated that he deserved the death punishment for his actions, but on December 18, 2009, he withdrew his confession and stated that he was forced to make his confession by police.
He was found guilty of murder for directly killing seven people, conspiracy to commit murder for the deaths of the 164 people killed in the three-day terror siege, waging war against India, inciting terror, and conspiracy to murder two high-ranking police officials. On May 6, 2010, he was condemned to death by hanging. He did, however, appeal his sentence to the Supreme Court. Kasab’s death sentence was upheld by the Bombay High Court on 21 February 2011, rejecting his appeal.
On August 29, 2012, the Indian Supreme Court affirmed Kasab’s death sentence. Kasab petitioned the President of India for mercy, which was denied on November 5. Kasab was secretly hung at Pune’s Yerwada prison on November 21, 2012, at 7:30 a.m., as part of Operation ‘X.’
The government has listed five new ones and one to amend the contentious Waqf law out of 15 bills for the winter session of Parliament. The session will kick off on November 25 and conclude on December 20.
The government has introduced five new bills, including the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to promote coasting trade and increase the participation of Indian-flagged vessels owned and operated by Indian citizens for both national security and commercial purposes.
Another significant legislation that will be introduced by the government is the Indian Ports Bill, 2024. This bill is designed to implement measures for the conservation of ports, enhance security, and manage pollution, ensuring compliance with India’s international obligations and statutory requirements.
Additionally, the government plans to introduce the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to meet India’s obligations under maritime treaties and support the development of Indian shipping while ensuring the efficient operation of the Indian mercantile marine in a way that serves national interests.
Pending legislation includes the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which is awaiting consideration and passage after the joint committee of both Houses submits its report to the Lok Sabha. The committee is expected to report by the end of the first week of the winter session.
Currently, there are eight bills, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, pending in the Lok Sabha, while two additional bills are in the Rajya Sabha.
Furthermore, the government has also listed the Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill for introduction, consideration, and passage, which seeks to increase the pecuniary appellate jurisdiction of Delhi district courts from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.
The Merchant Shipping Bill, along with the Coastal Shipping Bill and the Indian Ports Bill, is slated for introduction and eventual passage.
International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes
The court accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, inhumane acts, and the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) today issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The court accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, inhumane acts, and the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare. The leaders allegedly restricted essential supplies such as food, water, and medical aid to civilians in Gaza, resulting in severe humanitarian crises and deaths, including among children.
Last year in October, Israel had launched attacks on Gaza in retaliation for the surprise attack by Hamas. The Israel-Hamas war has led to the death of thousands of civilians, while lakhs have been displaced. The major infrastructures in Gaza, including hospitals and schools, were also destroyed as Israel vowed to wipe out Hamas.
The International Criminal Court stated that it found reasonable grounds to believe the accused intentionally targeted civilians and limited medical supplies, forcing unsafe medical procedures, which caused immense suffering. This ruling was based on the findings from at least October 8, 2023 until at least May 20, 2024.
The court remarked that it has assessed that there are reasonable grounds to believe that PM Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population of Gaza.
Furthermore, it also noted that the lack of food, water, electricity and fuel, and medical supplies created conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza, leading to death of civilians, including children due to malnutrition and dehydration.
Additionally, the International Criminal Court dismissed two challenges by Israel against its jurisdiction in the situation in the State of Palestine.
Notably, Israel had contested the ICC’s jurisdiction, claiming it could not be exercised without Israel’s consent. Nonetheless, the Chamber ruled that the Court has jurisdiction based on Palestine’s territorial scope, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. It further noted that Israel’s objections were premature, as jurisdictional challenges under the Rome Statute can only be made after an arrest warrant is issued.
Reportedly, Israel had also requested a fresh notification regarding the investigation, started in 2021. Denying the request, the court stated that Israel had earlier declined to request a deferral, making additional notifications unnecessary.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday accorded a tax-free status to ‘The Sabarmati Report’ film, based on the train burning incident at Godhra in Gujarat in 2002, in the state.
The announcement was made after Chief Minister Adityanath attended the screening of Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna-starrer ‘The Sabarmati Report’ in Lucknow with the film’s cast.
Speaking to reporters, actor Vikrant Massey thanked the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for making ‘The Sabarmati Report’ film tax-free in the state. “I want to thank Yogi Adityanath ji. This is an important film and I appeal to everyone to go and watch this film,” he said.
Chief Minister Adityanath along with many of his cabinet colleagues watched the film ‘The Sabarmati Report’ under a special screening at a cinema hall in the capital, said a spokesperson of the state government.
Several people associated with the film unit were also present on the occasion. Later the chief minister announced to make this film tax-free in UP.
The BJP-ruled states have been praising the makers of The Sabarmati Report, claiming the team has tried to bring out this truth in front of the people of the country through the film.
The saffron party is appealing to people to watch this film and try to get closer to the truth of Godhra.
Uttar Pradesh becomes the sixth BJP-ruled state after Haryana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat to declare lead actors Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna’s film tax-free.
Adityanath said along with identifying the faces of those who are conspiring against the country for political gains, there is also a need to expose them. The film team has discharged its responsibilities to expose the truth, he said, adding an attempt has been made to bring the real truth in front of the country in a big way through the film.
The Sabarmati Report is said to be based on the incident of setting fire to a train full of ‘karsevaks’ in Godhra on February 27, 2002, killing 90 devotees. After this incident, communal riots broke out in Gujarat. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have also praised this film.
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