Amir Ajmal Kasab, the only terrorist caught alive during the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai, was hanged to death at Pune's Yerawada Jail this morning.
Confirming this Home Minister Sushill Kumar Shinde told reporters in New Delhi a short while ago that Kasab was hanged to death this morning in Pune's Yerawada Jail . He said, Kasab’s mercy petition was rejected by President Pranab Mukherjee on 5th of this month.
The Home Minister said, 166 people were killed in the 26/11 attacks in 2008, when 10 men from Pakistan including Kasab sailed into Mumbai and launched attack on several targets. Kasab was the only terrorist who was caught alive.
Talking to Reporter in New Delhi Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said the date for execution of Kasab was decided early this month. The information in this regard was sent to Pakistan government by Ministry of External Affairs through fax.
The Home Minister also said, Pakistan has not demanded for Kasab's body. A heavy security cordon has been put in place around the prison where the hanging was carried out this morning.
Earlier, Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil announced the hanging saying this is a tribute to all innocent people and the officers who lost their lives in the Mumbai attacks.
The Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist, who was kept in Mumbai's Arthur Road jail since his arrest in 2008, was shifted from Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail to Pune after rejection of his mercy petition.
After nearly a four-year-long legal battle, on August 29, the Supreme Court had confirmed the death penalty awarded to the LeT operative by the trial court and later upheld by the Bombay High Court.
Kasab's mercy petition was filed first with the Maharashtra Home Ministry, which rejected it in September, and forwarded it to the Union Home Ministry which was sent to President.
BJP welcomed the hanging of 26/11 attack convict Ajmal Kasab but emphasised that his handlers across the border in Pakistan should also be brought to justice.
Party spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said Kasab's hanging will act as a balm on the wounds of the people of Mumbai but their wounds are still fresh. He also demanded that Parliament attack accused Afzal Guru be hanged soon.
