Pak PM Imran Khan Admits 2008 Mumbai Attack Was Act of Terrorism

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.

(Photo: AP)

Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a recent interview, admitted that the 2008 Mumbai attack as ‘an act of terrorism’, and said resolving the case is in Pakistan’s interest.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Khan said that he wants “something done about the bombers”.

“We also want something done about the bombers of Mumbai. I have asked our government to find out the status of the case. Resolving that case is in our interest because it was an act of terrorism. I have opened a visa-free peace corridor with India called Kartarpur... Let’s hope that after the election is over, we can again resume talks with India.’’

Imran Khan, Pakistan Prime Minister

India marked the 10-year anniversary of the brutal terror attack which had crippled the city and the nation at the time. Mumbai was marred by multiple terrorist attacks across the city in November 2008, connected to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan based terrorist organisation.

WHY PAKISTAN PM’s STATEMENT MATTERS

Khan’s remarks come days after India slammed Pakistan for doing little to prosecute the perpetrators. The mastermind of the attack, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, a leader of the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, was released on bail in Pakistan while a nine-year trial has dragged on for six other suspects with no results.

COUNTER VIEW

Responding to Imran Khan, Army chief Bipin Rawat expressed his disdain over his comments on the Mumbai attack.

<b>‘’</b>We know who did it. I don’t think we have to get anymore statement from anybody. international community knows who did it. Acceptance is good but even without it, we knew who had done it.’’&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Bipin Rawat, Indian Army chief

Meanwhile, a PTI report quoted Ujjal Nikam, a public prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai attack, saying that he blamed the Pakistan government for delaying the trail of the masterminds of the attack.

ATTACK FLASHBACK

Date: 26/11/2008 to 28/11/2008

Casualty: 166 people

Suspected Perpetrator: 10-member team of Lashkar-e-Taiba

Locations: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Oberoi Trident Hotel, Taj Mahal Palace, Leopold Cafe, Cama hospital and Nariman House

BUT, BUT, BUT

While Imran Khan talked about warming up to India by opening Kartarpur Corridor, a visa-free peace corridor with India, he also slammed India for dismissing his olive branch. He alleged that the BJP has an “anti-Muslim, anti-Pakistan approach”.