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.’
India has responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the United Nations, delivering a strong message on terrorism and warning that such actions will have consequences.
The response came after Mr Sharif addressed the UN and raised issues concerning India and Pakistan. New Delhi rejected the narrative presented by the Pakistani prime minister and highlighted the issue of terrorism.
India’s message was delivered by Petal Gehlot, who represented New Delhi in the response to Pakistan.
India warns Pakistan over terrorism
India’s response focused on Pakistan’s record and its approach towards terrorism. New Delhi made clear that terrorism cannot be separated from its consequences and that those responsible cannot expect such actions to go unanswered.
The Indian side also pushed back against the claims and allegations made by Mr Sharif during his UN speech.
The exchange comes amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, with terrorism remaining a major point of disagreement between the two countries.
Shehbaz Sharif’s UN remarks
In his address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke about India-Pakistan relations and raised several issues concerning New Delhi.
India subsequently exercised its right of reply to respond to Pakistan’s statements at the United Nations.
New Delhi’s response underlined its position that terrorism remains a serious issue in the relationship and that there would be consequences for terrorist actions.
The latest exchange at the UN adds to the continuing diplomatic confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.
Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.
Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.
The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.
What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?
Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.
The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.
The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.
What is the Veeramani POCSO case?
The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.
The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.
The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.
What has MK Stalin said?
Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.
He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.
The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.
Why has the case become a political issue?
The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.
The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.
At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.
Women wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan’s acquittal in sexual harassment case
Four women wrestlers have challenged the acquittal of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar in a sexual harassment case.
Four women wrestlers have approached a Delhi court challenging the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case.
The wrestlers have also challenged the acquittal of co-accused Vinod Tomar. The matter is scheduled to be heard by a Special Judge at the Rouse Avenue Courts.
The appeal challenges the order passed by an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate on August 3, 2026, when Brij Bhushan and Tomar were acquitted in the case.
Wrestlers challenge court’s reasoning
In their appeal, the wrestlers have argued that the acquittal order is legally unsustainable and that the evidence was not assessed appropriately.
They have also alleged that the order relied on assumptions about how victims of sexual assault and harassment were expected to behave instead of assessing the evidence and circumstances of the complainants.
The challenge seeks judicial scrutiny of the findings that resulted in the acquittal of Brij Bhushan and Tomar.
Brij Bhushan was acquitted in August
The Rouse Avenue court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on August 3 in the sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers. The court’s decision followed consideration of the evidence and statements presented during the proceedings.
The case had emerged after several women wrestlers accused the former WFI chief of sexual harassment. The allegations had led to a major protest by wrestlers in 2023.
The latest appeal means the acquittal is now being challenged before a higher court.
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