We know what we saw on 26/11, say cops

Mateen Hafeez | TNN

Mumbai: Ajmal Amir Kasab was lying to the court when he said he was not in the Skoda on 26/11, said the D B Marg police who captured the Pakistani gunman from the vehicle that he and his partner Abu Ismail had ‘appropriated’ on the night of the attack. Assistant Inspector Hemant Bhawdhankar had told the special court that Kasab was sitting in the car next to Abu Ismail, who was gunned down by the police at Chowpattty.

But Kasab claimed on Friday that he was not a terrorist and had come to Mumbai as a tourist. He accused the police of framing him.

Baudhankar rubbished Kasab’s claims saying: “Those who were part of the operation have told the court what happened that night. Kasab is now lying and just saying anything.’’ He added: “Kasab was holding an AK-47 in his hand and we had caught him alive from the Skoda car he was travelling in.’’ Another police officer concurring with Bhawdhankar’s statement said that Kasab “can try and lie but he cannot contradict the facts that have come up against him during the investigation’’.

According to Bhawdhankar, 16 policemen from the D B Marg police station were present during the encounter with the terrorists. He recalled the incident: “After hearing the news that two terrorists had escaped in a Skoda towards Mantralaya, we went to Girgaum Chowpatty and put up barricades and took position. Around 12.15 am on November 27, I along with assistant inspector Sanjay Govilkar, sub-inspector Bhaskar Kadam, assistant inspector Tukaram Ombale and the staff saw the Skoda.’’

He continued: “Ismail, who was in the driver’s seat, fired a pistol, while Kasab sat next to him. I took position behind the car while Govilkar, hidden behind a pillar, fired his pistol at Ismail. I fired at Ismail from behind; he was injured. Kasab got out with his AK-47. ASI Tukaram Ombale came forward and grabbed the AK-47, but by then Kasab had pressed the trigger.’’

Constable Vikarm Nikam, who took possession of Kasab’s AK-47 after he was captured, said: “Kasab is the accused and is trying to dodge the investigators. We have nothing to do with what he says. The police has given statements and everything is on record.’’

The Times of India, December 19, 2009