David Headley's deposition unlikely to move Pakistan to take action

NEW DELHI: Much as the Indian agencies view American LeT operative David Coleman Headley's deposition via video conferencing as a legal step forward with his testimony regarding the role of Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi and serving or retired ISI/Pakistan army officers in 26/11 attacks now admissible as evidence in the court, they are highly sceptical of any follow-up action by Pakistan.

According to a senior intelligence officer, Headley's turning approver was possibly the best deal for India, considering that the Americans would not have extradited him anyway in view of his plea bargain agreement with the federal government.

"His testimony is crucial since the evidence against Saeed, Lakhvi and other state actors is coming from one who was directly in touch with the masterminds... The evidentiary value of his deposition will help strengthen our case in the international fora," he noted.

A home ministry officer said Headley's revelations can now be used for sending letters rogatory to Pakistan, seeking a follow-up investigation by Pakistani agencies into the conspiracy hatched on their soil.

Though Headley has named some serving/retired ISI/Pakistan army officers — including Major Samir Ali, Major Iqbal (retd) and Major Abdur Rehman 'Pasha', an intelligence officer conceded that these in all likelihood are just pseudonyms. ". There is no point expecting Pakistan to act against faceless and under-cover ISI agents," he said.

Intelligence agencies say Headley's deposition so far has not added much to what he had told NIA when it examined him in Chicago in 2010. The role of Saeed, Lakhvi, Abu Jundal was also detailed in the confession of Ajmal Kasab.