 "David Headley")
Defence expert Major General (Retired) S R Sinho on Monday said David Coleman Headley's revelation in the Mumbai special court, with regard to the 26/11 terror attacks, has made it clear that Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is a "rubber stamp", with authority resting in the hands of the Army and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Sinho said Pakistan has been refuting their role in terrorist activities since the time terrorism took its first toll on India.
"In fact, it was shameful how they blamed India for the Peshawar attack. They also discredited the Pathankot attack. As far as I think, Pakistan would not do anything because, in Pakistan, whatever the Army wants, only that happens. ISI will do what it wants and Nawaz Sharif will not be able to do anything. Nawaz Sharif is like a rubber stamp and India must accept this," he added.
Sinho said Headley was cultivated by the ISI many times.
"And when Kasab was caught, Kasab also gave his name. Abu Jundal was an accomplice of Kasab. It was Jundal, who gave the testimony of involvement of David Headley in the attack. Headley was sent to India seven to eight times to recce. And, he recced the whole place and gave information to Pakistan. This was also proved in the United States and he was sentenced to 35 years in jail," he added.
Sinho said Pakistan would be given additional evidence post Headley's testimony in the court.
Meanwhile, former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Y P Singh said Headley's deposition would also reveal his Indian connections which have not come to the fore till time.
"As it is said that he repeatedly came to India many times, which means he had many accomplices. Several people helped him with the planning of 26/11 attack. Those people's names have still not become apparent during the course of the trial. If those names come out, a larger conspiracy can come to fore by interrogating them," he added.
In a crucial deposition of Headley before the Mumbai court through video conference on Monday, he admitted that the prior two failed attempts were made by the same 10 terrorists involved in 26/11 Mumbai attacks, who tried similar attempts in September and October 2008.
Headley admitted changing his name from Dawood Gilani to David Headley to enter India and to conceal his identity. Headley visited India eight times before 26/11 attacks and once after it. Headley also admitted to giving false information in the visa application.
In a vital revelation, Headley admitted to meeting Sajid Mir of Lashkar-e-Taiba, who was his main contact. Headley said he changed his name in passport on instruction from Sajid Mir.
Senior lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani told the media that his counsel Headley has told the special court that he acted on the advice of Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed.
Top Mumbai Police and National Investigation Agency officials were present in the court, alongside the US Embassy officials.
Headley's deposition will continue in the Mumbai court at 7 am on Tuesday.
It is for the first time in the Indian legal history that a foreign terrorist is providing his evidences through video link.
