Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab was today sentenced to death for the Mumbai terror attack by a special court in Mumbai. Special Judge M L Tahaliyani said, keeping him alive will be a lingering danger to society from a person who has no chance of reform. 22-year-old Kasab is the lone surviving terrorist in the November 26, 2008 carnage in which 166 people were killed.<br/><br/>Bringing the curtains down on one of the fastest trials in a terror case three days after finding him guilty, the judge sent Kasab to the gallows on five counts–mass murder, abetment of murder, waging war against the Indian state, conspiracy and terror, offences covered under Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Prevention of Activities Act. <br/><br/>The death sentence will be subject to confirmation by the Bombay High Court. If ratified, Kasab, a foot soldier of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), can also appeal against it in the Supreme Court to be followed by a mercy petition to the President if it fails. <br/><br/>Kasab was also handed down life sentence on an equal number of counts–attempt to murder, conspiracy to wage war, collecting arms with an intention to wage war against the nation, kidnapping in order to commit murder and causing explosion to endanger life or property.<br/><br/>Kasab, who wore a white kurta-pyjama, sat stoically through the proceedings in the specially created court room in the high-security Arthur Road jail, lowered his head and was seen sobbing as the judge read out the sentence. <br/><br/>Flashing the victory sign, Public Prosecutor Ujwal Nikam, who expressed happiness over the capital punishment, described Kasab's sobs as crocodile tears. <br/><br/>Kasab's laywer K P Pawar said he would not criticise the judgment but his client has a right to appeal. The verdict evoked instant reaction with people bursting crackers outside Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, where Kasab was caught on camera killing people<br/><br/>Reacting to the verdict, Law Minister M Veerappa Moily said, the verdict in the 26/11 case was a message to Pakistan that it cannot meddle in the country's affairs. He said, the verdict sends a message to all terrorists that if they land in India, they will meet the same fate.<br/><br/>Welcoming the death sentence to Ajmal Kasab for the Mumbai attacks, BJP today said India should make more efforts to get access to Pakistani masterminds of the terror strikes and other accused like David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Rana. Party spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said, the message to Pakistan should be loud and clear that India cannot tolerate attacks on it. <br/><br/>Congress has also hailed the death sentence for Ajmal Kasab. The party spokesman, Mr. Shakeel Ahmed said that the punishment will act as a deterrent for others who indulge in such heinous acts.<br/><br/>On the other hand, Pakistan today reacted in a guarded manner to the death sentence handed down to its national Ajmal Kasab by the Indian court. Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said in Islamabad that legal experts in Pakistan will study the detailed judgement. He, however, strongly condemned the horrific Mumbai attacks.<br/><br/>In reply to a question, Mr Basit added that it is incumbent on the Pakistan government to provide assistance to its nationals abroad but it is important to determine where such aid is required and where it is not. In a related development, the US today said it will make sure that justice is delivered to the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and that it has conveyed the same to Pakistan government.<br/><br/>Briefing reporters in New Delhi about his trip to Pakistan on Tuesday, US Ambassador Timothy J Roemer said he met President Asif Ali Zardari and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and discussed a host of regional and international issues including 26/11 trial and role of India in Afghanistan. Mr Roemer said, they have lost six Americans in 26/11 attacks and America also wants to make sure that justice is delivered.