Years after Mumbra (a town near Mumbai) girl Ishrat Jahan was killed in an encounter with Gujarat Police in 2004, 26/11 accused David Coleman Headley has named her as a suicide bomber in the women's wing of terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba. Since the time the encounter took place killing her along with Javed Sheikh alias Pranesh Pillai and two Pakistani nationals Amjad Ali Rana and Zeeshan Jowher, there have been allegations that it was a botched-up operation by the police.
During his deposition in a Mumbai court in connection with the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case, Headley on Thursday said that his colleague in the LeT was behind a "botched-up" operation in India in which some men and a woman was killed in encounter with police.
His statement is significant as there were reports in 2010 when the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had interrogated him, he had named her as an LeT operative. However, there was no confirmation of the reports then.
Below is a glimpse of what happened in court on Thursday and how Ishrat Jahan's name came up.
Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam questions David Coleman Headley
Ujjwal Nikam:: Do you know Muzammil Bhatt? When did you meet him?
David Headley: May be around 2002, 2003
Ujjwal Nikam:: What was his position in the group?
David Headley: Muzammil Bhatt was the head of our group before Sajid Mir took over from him in the Lashkar-e-Toiba. I met him in Lahore
Ujjwal Nikam:: Who introduced you to him?
David Headley: Abu Dujana. He had worked together with Bhatt in 'Indian Occupied Kashmir'
Ujjwal Nikam:: Why did they go to Kashmir?
David Headley: To fight Indian troops
Ujjwal Nikam:: Do you know there is a women's wing in the LeT? Are there suicide bombers in the LeT that you are aware of?
David Headley: Yes
Ujjwal Nikam:: Who was heading that woman's wing?
David Headley: I can't remmeber the name
Ujjwal Nikam:: Abu Aiman?
David Headley: Yes
Ujjwal Nikam:: What was the relation between Abu Aiman and Muzammil Bhatt?
David Headley: They were together in Kashmir
Ujjwal Nikam:: Do you know of any suicide bombers in the LeT and can you recollect any?
David Headley: No.
Ujjwal Nikam:: Did Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi tell you about any botched up operation that Muzammil Bhatt was involved in?
David Headley: Yes, I believe there was a shootout with the police in India at some naka or picket
Ujjwal Nikam:: Did Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi tell you that Bhatt was involved in it?
David Headley: A woman was also there who was killed in the shootout with the police. She was an Indian member of the LeT.
Ujjwal Nikam:: Do you recollect her name?
David Headley: (Thinking)
Ujjwal Nikam:: I will provide you three names, can you identify which of these three names is the woman who was killed in that shootout with the police.
Ujjwal Nikam:: 1.) Noor Jehan Begum, 2.) Ishrat Jahan, 3.) Mumtaz
David Headley: It is the second name.
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