4 May 2010

Mumbai gunman convicted of waging war on India

7:08 am on 4 May 2010

The only gunman to survive the attacks in Mumbai in November 2008 has been found guilty of murder and waging war on India

Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, 22, a Pakistani national, was convicted on almost all of the 86 charges.

Qasab was pictured with an AK47 firing at passengers at one of Mumbai's busiest train stations during the attack which left 174 people - including nine gunmen - dead.

India's home minister said the verdict was a message to Pakistan that it should not "export terrorism to India".

As the judge read out his verdict, Qasab, 22, kept his head down and did not say anything during the proceedings, the BBC reports.

India blames Pakistan-based militants Lashkar-e-Taiba for the attacks. After initial denials, Pakistan acknowledged that the attacks had been partially planned on its territory and that Qasab was one of its citizens.

Two Indian men - Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin Ahmed - who were accused of helping the gunmen plan the attacks, were acquitted by the presiding judge at the court in Mumbai.

The judge will begin hearing arguments about sentencing on Tuesday. The prosecution is seeking the death penalty for Qasab.

Qasab's 271-day trial was conducted amid tight security in a purpose-built court on the jail premises in Mumbai where he was being held.