26/11 trial: FBI confirms Pakistan link

MUMBAI: On Wednesday Agents of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) gave evidence at the trial of the sole surviving terrorist of the deadly Mumbai attacks, Mohammad Ajmal Kasab.

The first witness, an FBI electronic and forensic expert, told a special prison court that he had examined one satellite phone engineer and three global positioning systems (GPS) recovered after the attacks.

The downloaded data from the devices showed a number of maps and routes, including one from off the coast of Pakistan to Mumbai, the FBI agent told the court, under condition of anonymity.

"This route starts in the ocean near the Gulf of Karachi and it goes to Mumbai. The route was stored by the user," he added.

Other locations found on the GPS system included areas of the cities of Karachi and Rawalpindi and of Mumbai.

The ten terrorists, who attacked Mumbai last November, killing over 170 people and wounding more than 300 others, are said by the prosecution to have come to the city via the sea.

The surviving gunman, Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, and an accomplice are alleged to have committed the bloodiest episode in the 60-hour reign of terror, opening fire with AK-47 assault rifles and throwing grenades at commuters at the city's main railway station.

Kasab is being tried on a string of charges, including waging war against India, murder and attempted murder. He faces the death penalty if convicted.

After the 26/11 terror attacks, in which six Americans were also killed, FBI had also conducted a probe and collected clinching evidence which is being placed before the trial court here.

Three US nationals are also expected to give their testimony in the 26/11 terror attack case through videoconferencing.

The identities of the witnesses have been kept secret for security reasons, the prosecutor said.