Pak Court Defers Proceedings of Lashker Operatives Accused of 26/11

Without holding any proceedings, a Pakistani anti-terror court put off till July 18 the trial of five Lashker-e-Toiba operatives accused of involvement in Mumbai terror attack.

According to sources, the case, being tried in a Rawalpindi anti-terror court, was adjourned because of non-availability of a judge.

After Justice Sakhi Muhammad Kahut, the judge of anti-terror court number 2, who was hearing the case, was removed; there took place no advancement in the trial.

As a result, the Federal Investigation Agency approached Justice Muhammad Akram Awan, the judge in anti-terror court number 1, to adopt the case for hearing and he repeatedly put off the matter. Sources said that Awan was on leave on Friday due to personal reasons.

The sources also said that Baqir Ali Rana had been posted as the new judge for anti-terror court number 2 and is expected to assume office on Monday.

He is expected to hear the case against the five LeT operatives as well as several other cases related to high-profile terrorist attacks.

Authorities have framed charges against the five LeT operatives, Zaikur Rehman Lakhvi, Zarar Shah, Abu al Qama, Shahid Jamil Riaz and Hamad Amin Sadiq, under the Anti-Terrorism Act, Pakistan Penal Code and a cyber crimes law.

On May 5, the court distributed copies of the chargesheet among the suspects. They are expected to be formally indicted at the next hearing.

The trial of the five LeT members is being held inside the high-security Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi due to security reasons.