Pak seeks Interpol Red Corner Notice against Kasab, Ansari

ISLAMABAD: In a new twist in the Mumbai terror attack case, Pakistan on Saturday approached the Interpol seeking Red Corner Notice for arresting Ajmal Kasab and Fahim Ansari, currently undergoing trial in India.

This was stated by Special Public Prosecutor Malik Rab Nawaz Moon as an anti-terrorism court conducting the trial of the seven 26/11 attack accused, including LeT operations chief Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, adjourned the hearing in the case till April 17.

The proceedings at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where judge Malik Mohd Akram Awan is hearing the case for security reasons, were adjourned after the prosecution sought "maximum" time to challenge a Lahore High Court order that said the trial of the seven suspects could not be separated from that of Kasab and Ansari, who are currently in the custody of Indian authorities.

The prosecution also said it needed time to challenge the anti-terrorism court's decision to dismiss its application to name Kasab and Ansari as "proclaimed offenders" or fugitives. It said it intended to file challenges in the Lahore High Court and Supreme Court.

Judge Awan gave the prosecution time till April 17 and adjourned the matter. During the proceedings, the prosecution said the government had been approached to ask Interpol to issue Red Corner notices for Ansari and Kasab.

Defence lawyers argued that Kasab and Ansari were not fugitives as they were in the custody of Indian authorities. Special Public Prosecutor Malik Rab Nawaz Moon later said the Interpol had been approached to issue Red Corner notices against Kasab and Ansari.

"We are having meetings today and tomorrow and will decide on approaching the High Court and Supreme Court to challenge recent court orders," Noon said.

Apart from Lakhvi, the accused in the case in Pakistan are Zarar Shah, Abu al-Qama, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jamil Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younas Anjum.