CRIMINAL PROFILING OF

MOHAMMED AJMAL KASAB

The Attacks of 26/11

Submitted To: Dr. Shilpi Sharma Members:

Module: Criminology & Penology Jugal Jain
Course: BBA-LLB (2016-21) Kathan Bhuta
Neel Dalal
Uttam Khokhariya
Viral Shah
Introduction

On November 23, 2008, ten Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, trained by Pakistani military and
spy agency ISI, left Karachi for Mumbai via sea. They entered India three days later on
November 26, hijacking a ship owned by Indian fishermen and killing them en route. They
targeted high-profile places including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Taj Hotel at the
Gateway of India, Cafe Leopold, Chabad House, Rang Bhavan Lane near Cama Hospital and
St Xavier's College. More than 160 people including 18 police officers and two NSG
commandoes were killed. Around 310 others were injured as a fight back by security forces
continued for about 60 hours. Though, the terrorists were dressed as tourists, the 26/11 Mumbai
terror attack of 2008 was considered as a professional commando operation of Pakistani
military and ISI by experts.

10 terrorists were spotted by a local fisherman as they disembarked from their dinghy boat near
Badhwar Park. They offloaded their bags full of explosives and carried AK47 assault rifles in
their rucksacks. Of the ten LeT terrorists, eight got off near the fishing sacks on the shore. Two
of gunmen went back into the sea. Later, investigation showed that the two headed to their
targets at Trident and Oberoi - both 5-star hotels - at Nariman Point. The eight terrorists, who
got off at Machchhimar Nagar near Badhwar Park in Mumbai's Cuffe Parade area, split into
four pairs - the fisherman told the investigators. The first eyewitness reportedly challenged the
eight men but they ignored his warnings and spread across the city to create mayhem for three
days in Mumbai killing around 25 foreigners among others. Each of the terrorists carried AK47
automatic rifle, around 500 rounds of ammunition, pistols, hand grenades and improvised
explosive devices. The ammunition possessed by them proved enough for the Mumbai police
and special commandos to keep them at toes for next three days.

Around 9.20 pm took place the first attack at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. Fifty-eight
people were killed at the CST railway station in an indiscriminate gun firing that lasted for
about one-and-a-half-hour. Mohammed Ajmal Kasab and Ismail Khan had targeted the CST.

The second attack was reported about 8-10 minutes later from the Nariman House area, the
second group of terrorists blew up a gas station before attacking Jewish Chabad Lubavitch
outreach centre. The rabbi, his wife and five Israeli hostages were killed. Miraculously, the
two-year-old child of the rabbi survived as his housemaid smuggled the baby to safety. Leopold
Cafe, another upscale restaurant was the third target of the terrorists, who opened fire at the
dining crowd almost at the same time as the attack at the Nariman House locality. The terrorists
- identified later as Shoaib and Umer, who targeted the diners at Leopold Cafe, headed to the
Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel and planted bombs in taxis on their way.

At the Taj, terrorists Shoaib and Umer met with LeT gunmen - identified as Abdul Rehman
Bada and Abu Ali, who had left IED for the Leopold Cafe attackers outside the iconic hotel.
The Taj came under attack between 9.35 pm and 10 pm. Oberoi-Trident Hotel was the last site
to be attacked by the terrorists around the same time as the Taj. The terrorists entered the hotel
through restaurant and started pumping bullets into the gathered crowd.

A team time to overpower Kasab and capture him. He was tried and sentenced to death in May
2010. Kasab was hanged at the Yerawada jail in Pune in November 2012.

1
About Ajmal Kasab

Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab was born on 13 September 1987 in Fardikot, Pakistan. He grew
up in a poor family along with his four brothers and sisters.

Due to financial constraints, Kasab dropped out of school at the age of 13 and briefly resided
with his elder brother before returning home to Fardikot. He left his home at age 18 and became
involved in small time criminal activity. In December 2007, Kasab and a friend enrolled for
training with the Lashkar-e-Taiba Islamist group, either after meeting members of Jama’at-ud-
Da’wah (the political wing of Lashkar-e-Taiba) during an arms purchase or after high-ranked
commanders of Lashkar-e-Taiba offered his family money in exchange for his enrolment. His
joining pertained as much to receiving money and training useful for a criminal career as to
sympathy for the group’s goals.

Kasab underwent a three-week training with the Lashkar-e-Taiba group in its camps in
Pakistan-administered Kashmir from December 2007 to January 2008, most likely returning
home thereafter before being brought back for the advanced training camp in February 2008
for another 21-day training period. At the end of the camp, he chose to stay and follow the
subsequent three-month training program from March till May 2008. After another two and a
half month program and a final one-month training, he was picked to be part of a group of ten
in charge of the Mumbai attacks.

Time Line of Attack

Kasab and 9 terrorists launch commando raid

Nov 26, 2008: Kasab and 9 terrorists launch commando raid in Mumbai.

Nov 27, 2008: At 1.30 AM, Kasab caught and placed under arrest, admitted to Nair Hospital.

Nov 29, 2008: All places under siege secured, 9 terrorists killed.

Nov 30, 2008: Kasab confesses before police.

Dec 27/28, 2008: Identification parade held.

2
Arthur Road Jail selected for Kasab's trial

Jan 13, 2009: M L Tahaliyani appointed 26/11 judge.

Jan 16, 2009: Arthur Road Jail selected for Kasab's trial.

Feb 5, 2009: Kasab's DNA samples match with articles found in Kuber.

Feb 20/21, 2009: Kasab makes confession before magistrate.

Feb 22, 2009: Ujjwal Nikam appointed Special Public Prosecutor.

Abbas Kazmi appointed as Kasab's lawyer

Feb 25, 2009: Charge sheet against Kasab, two others filed in court.

Apr 1, 2009: Anjali Waghmare appointed Kasab's lawyer.

Apr 15, 2009: Anjali Waghmare removed as Kasab's lawyer.

Apr 16, 2009: Abbas Kazmi appointed as Kasab's lawyer.

Apr 17, 2009: Kasab's confession opened in court, he retracts.

Prosecution charges Kasab on 312 counts

Apr 20, 2009: Prosecution charges Kasab on 312 counts.

Apr 29, 2009: Kasab is major: experts' opinion.

May 6, 2009: Charges framed, Kasab charged on 86 counts, but denies charges.

May 8, 2009: First eyewitness deposes, identifies Kasab.

June 23, 2009: Non-bailable warrants issued against 22 including Hafeez Saeed, Zaki-ur-
Rehman Lakhvi.

Nov 30, 2009: Abbas Kazmi removed as Kasab's lawyer.

Dec 1, 2009: K P Pawar takes place of Kazmi.

3
Kasab sentenced to death by trial court

Dec 16, 2009: Prosecution completes its case in 26/11.

Dec 18, 2009: Kasab denies all charges.

March 31, 2010: Arguments in the case end. Special Judge M L Tahaliyani reserves
judgement for May 3, 2010.

May 3, 2010: Kasab convicted, Sabauddin Ahmed and Faheem Ansari acquitted of all
charges.

May 6, 2010: Kasab was sentenced to death by the trial court.

Feb 21, 2011: Bombay High Court upholds death sentence to Kasab.

March 2011: Kasab writes letter to SC challenging HC order.

Kasab tells SC that he was brainwashed

Oct 10, 2011: SC stays execution of the death sentence awarded to Pakistani terrorist Kasab.

Oct 10, 2011: Kasab tells SC that he was brainwashed like a "robot" into committing the
heinous crime in the name of "God" and that he does not deserve capital punishment owing
to his young age.

Oct 18, 2011: The Supreme Court admits Maharashtra government's appeal challenging the
acquittal of Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, co-accused of Ajmal Kasab, in the 26/11
Mumbai terror attack.

Jan 31, 2012: Kasab tells SC that he was not given a free and fair trial in the case.

SC upholds death sentence of Kasab

Feb 23, 2012: SC hears intercepted conversations between the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai
terror attack and their Pakistani handlers and watched the CCTV footage of the carnage.

Apr 25, 2012: SC reserves its verdict after a marathon hearing, spanning over two and a half
month.

Aug 29, 2012: SC upholds death sentence of Kasab and acquittal of two alleged Indian co-

4
conspirators in the case.

Oct 16,2012: Union Home Ministry recommends to President for rejection of Kasab's mercy
plea.

Kasab hanged in Yerawada Jail

Nov 5,2012: President rejects Kasab's mercy petition.

Nov 8,2012: Maharashtra government informed about President's decision.

Nov 21,2012: Kasab hanged in Yerawada Jail in Pune.

Mohd. Ajmal Amir Kasab: Found Guilty In The Horrific 26/11 Mumbai
Attacks

Versus
State of Maharashtra (Ajmal Kasab Case)

Citation: (2012) 9 SCC 1

Bench Composition: Aftab Alam, Chandramauli Kr. Prasad

Acts Referred:

• Indian Penal Code, 1860

• Evidence Act, 1872
• Criminal Procedure Code, 1973
• Constitution of India

Facts:

• Kasab was one of ten men captured during the terrorist attacks that took place in
Mumbai in November 2008. Kasab was born on September 13, 1987 in Faridkot.
• The prosecution filed an 11.000 page chargesheet against Kasab on February 25,
2009.

5
 Several lawyers refused to represent Kasab citing ethical reasons. On April 1 2009,
advocate Anjali Whagmare agreed to represent kasab.
• His trial was scheduled to start on April 15, 2009 but was postponed to April 17, 2009
after his lawyer Whagmare had to be dismissed due to a conflict of interest.She was
replaced by Abbas Kazmi.
On February 21. 2o11. the Bombay High court upheld the death sentence awarded by
the trial court. The Bench comprised Justice Ranjanaa Desai and Justice Ranjit More.
• On July 30. 2011, Kasab moved the Supreme Court of India. challenging his
conviction. The Supreme Court appointed senior advocate Raju Ramachandran as
amicus curiae and examined all the materials on record first hand.

Judgement:

Supreme Court Bench upheld the death sentence on August 29. 2012.
Kasabs mercy petition was rejected by the President. Pranab Mukherjee, on November 5,
2o12.
He was hanged to death at Yerwada jail in Pune on November 21, 2012 at 7.30 am, in
complete secrecy. Kasab’s body is buried at an unmarked location in the Yerwada jail
premises.

Media Coverage:

Authorities in Uttar Pradesh banned all celebrations and public gatherings and placed the
state on high alert in response.
The Coimbatore City Police took a group of people in Coimbatore into preventive custody
for celebrating Kasab’s execution.

A senior LeT commander issued an anonymous statement, saying Kasab was a hero who
would “inspire more fighters to follow his path.”
In Pakistan, the general and official government response was muted, with the media treating
the execution as another news item, according to The Hindu. Though some journalists
attempted to elicit statements from villagers in Kasab’s village of Faridkot, they met with a
hostile response.

While commending on the well appreciated role of two women officers in the smooth
handling of the execution, Patil later responded to threats to avenge Kasab’s death by stating
that anybody daring to attack the soil of Maharashtra would meet the same fate.

The Pakistani Taliban’s spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan issued a statement threatening Indians
in regard to execution of kasab.

Hafiz Saeed and thousands of others offered ghayabana namaz-e-janaza(funeral prayers in

absentia) for Kasab at a Jamaat-ud-Dawah.
Hundreds of others in Srinagar (jammu and Kashmir) also offered similar prayers at the
appeal of Syed Ali Geelani.

6
Similar case
State (N.C.T. of Delhi)
v.
Navjot Sandhu @ Afsan Guru
(Parliament Attack Case)

Introduction

The case of Afsan Guru is remarkable in the history of India being of few attacks which were
held with the intent to damage the sovereignty of the state. Although the case had many nuances
relating to admissibility of electronic records and the impact it may have on the judgement, the
apex court at the end partially ruled in favour of the appellants vindicating one of accused of
some charges and dismissing the appeal for the conviction of S.A.R Gilani and Afsan Guru.
But after several deliberations the legislators sought to pass a law which makes electronic
records admissible, in order to deal with the challenges of the 21st century.

Facts of the case:

• On 13th December, 2001, five heavily armed persons entered the premises of
Parliament House complex and killed the security personnel on the duty.
• The gun battle between the terrorists and the security guards went on for 30 minutes
which led to the death of all the five terrorists and 13 guards and In the gun battle that
lasted for 30 minutes or so, these five terrorists who tried to gain entry received fatal
injuries (9 persons including 8 security personnel and 1 gardener succumbed to the
bullets of the terrorists and 16 persons including 13 security men received injuries.)
• Jaish-E-Mohammed, one of the banned terrorist organisation under section 35 of
Unlawful Activities (prevention) Act , 1967 claimed the responsibility of the dastard
act and following the investigations for seven days the accused which were suspected
to have a possible involvement were also affiliated to the same organisation. The four
accused were Mohd. Afzal, Shaukat Hussain, S.A.R. Gelani and Afsan Guru (Navjot
Sandhu).
• After the investigations which went on for a short period of 17 days the investigating
agency filed the report under section 173 of Cr.P.C and named four accused. The four
accused were Mohd. Afzal, Shaukat Hussain, S.A.R. Gelani and Afsan Guru (Navjot
Sandhu).
• Accused were charged under various sections of Indian Penal Code (for short 'IPC'),
the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002 and the Explosive Substances Act by the
designated Special The designated Special Court presided over by Shri S.N. Dhingra
and tried the accused on the charges. The trial went on for six months and as much as
80 witnesses were examined from the prosecution side and 10 witnesses were
examined from the side of defence. It is recorded that around 330 documents were
exhibited by the court in the case.
• The three accused, namely, Mohd. Afzal, Shaukat Hussain Guru and S.A.R. Gilani
were convicted for various offences under Sections 121, 121A, 122 read with
Sections 302 & 307 of Indian Penal Code (IPC). Also Section 120B IPC and sub-

7
 sections (2), (3) and (5) of Section, sub-Sections (2), (3) & (5) of Section 3 of POTA
and Section 4(b) of the same act and Section 3 & 4 of Explosive Substances Act.

DECISION OF THE SPECIAL COURT

The three accused, namely, Mohd. Afzal, Shaukat Hussain Guru and S.A.R. Gilani were
convicted for the charges that were imposed under various acts including IPC, POTA and
Explosive Substance Act. Accused 1 & 2 namely Mohd. Afzal and Shaukat Hussain were also
convicted under Section 3 and 4 of POTA. Accused No.4 namely Navjot Sandhu (Afsan Guru)
was acquitted of all the other charges except Section 123 IPC which is “Concealing with intent
to facilitate design to wage war” for which she was suppose to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment
for five years and fine.

The other three accused were given death sentences for the offences committed by them under
Section 302 (murder) read with Section 120-B IPC (party to criminal conspiracy) and Section
3(2) of POTA. The amount of Rs.10 lakhs recovered from the possession of two of the accused,
Mohd. Afzal and Shaukat Hussain, was forfeited to the State under Section 6 of the POTA.

CONFIRMATION OF THE HIGH COURT

Appeals by the parties

• The four accused filed a appeal against the verdict of the designated special court, in the High
Court and the state also filed an appeal for the enhancement of Life sentence awarded to
sentence of death in relation to their convictions under Sections 121, 121A and 302 IPC.
• The state also filed an appeal to convict one of the four accused which was earlier vindicated
of all the charges except section 123 of IPC.

DECISION OF THE DIVISION BENCH OF HIGH COURT

• The High Court dismissed the appeals of Mihd. Afzal and Shaukat Hussain and confirmed
the death sentence awarded to them. The court also confirmed their death sentence with
respect to Section 121 and confirmed the death sentence. However the court allowed the
appeals of other two accused which are S.A.R. Gilani and Navjot Sandhu (Afsan Guru) and
thereby acquitted them of all charges.
• The judgment of High Court has given rise to seven which were filed in the Hon’ble Supreme
Court of India in the following manner; (i) Two appeals filed by Shaukat Hussain Guru, (ii)
One appeal filed by Mohd. Afzal, (iii) Four appeals filed by the State/Government of
National Capital Territory of Delhi against the acquittal of S.A.R. Gilani and Navjot Sandhu.

8
 ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED

Confessions of the co-accused

• The court while examining the confession of the co-accused should have taken following
propositions into consideration which were laid down in Ahmed anr. v. State of Rajasthan
[2003 (9) SCC 673] " In regard to the use of such confession as against a co- accused, it has
to be held that as a matter of caution, a general corroboration should be sought for but in
cases where the court is satisfied that the probative value of such confession is such that it
does not require corroboration then it may base a conviction on the basis of such confession
of the co-accused without corroboration. But this is an exception to the general rule of
requiring corroboration when such confession is to be used against a co-accused.”

The nature of corroboration is of a general nature as used against both the maker and the co-
accused, unless the court concluded that such corroboration should be on the material facts of
the particular case and a generalised idea or proposition cannot be adopted and applied in every
case as the facts of each case differ. In the present scenario confession against the maker and
the co- accused is absolutely general in nature it does not lay perfect grounds for the Court in
the appropriate case to base the conviction on the confession of the co-accused without even
general corroboration.

• “The voluntariness and reliability of confession should be matter tested by the court. The
admission of such confession would also be subject to the observance of the other provisions
of Section 32 of POTA which are in the nature of procedural safeguards aimed at ensuring
that the confessions are made by the accused in an atmosphere free from threat and
inducement” as in the judgement of Ahmed v. State of Rajasthan.

Call records and its authenticity

• One of the major issues raised from the side of the accused was the inadmissibility of the
electronic records (mobile phone call records) which the prosecution has produced for
consideration in the appeal, the counsel on behalf of the accused raised the issue of credibility
and reliance on the telephone records which were produced by the prosecution. The records
lose their credibility because there was no certificate produced by the prosecution which is
necessary for admitting any electronic record under Section 65B(4) of the Evidence Act.
• In the absence of the certificate issued under sub-Section (2) of Section 65B of the Indian
Evidence Act, the information provided by the electronic record cannot be adduced in
evidence and also in absence of a “competent” witness accustomed with the functioning of
the computers during the time printouts were taken the secondary evidence under Section 63
is also inadmissible.
• The apex Court concluded that the cross-examination of competent witness acquainted with
the functioning of the computer during the relevant time and the manner in which the
printouts of the call records were taken was sufficient to prove the call records

9
Comment

Science and law, two distinctive professions and with the evolution of society both have
comfortably mixed and supplemented each other in various manner and has also ensured a fair
process as well as justice being delivered. On one hand, scientific evidence holds out the
possibility of extremely accurate fact-finding and a elimination of uncertainty by providing
objectivity which often accompanies legal decision making. But at the same time, scientific
methodologies, from the modern times include risks of uncertainty that the legal system is
reluctant to undertake.

The above analysis categorically states the idea that though the Indian evidence law cannot be
said to be outdates in the wake of new scientific challenges, as suitable amendments have been
incorporated, however much remains to be done to make it comprehensively adequate to face
any modern challenges that have time and again arose.

Therefore it is imperative to bring in new laws and reduce the writings of judicial
pronouncements in order to bolster the Indian legal system that, the accused, in any case can
take the support of any technical glitches which may help his acquittal even after committing
the crime. Also there is a need for an overhaul in the entire justice system by adoption of E-
governance, internet supervision and internet friendly environment in the Judiciary. E-
Governance to the judiciary means, use of information and communication technology to
smoothen and accelerate case progression to reach its logical end within the set time
frame with adequate transparency and accountability so that nothing is left untouched and
every aspect of the case even if relating to internet, electronic record or its admissibility is taken
into consideration.

In the mind of Kasab

When Ajmal Kasab, the sole surviving terrorist behind Mumbai attacks was captured, he
became an object of interest as he could not just give valuable clues about the masterminds of
the attack and the modus operandi of Pakistan based Jihadis, but a study of his psychology
could also provide an insight into the minds of the brainwashed and conditioned Fidayeen
attackers.

A deep analysis of the various tests on Ajmal Kasab revealed shocking outcomes and enabled
in construing correctly the gradual metamorphosis of this destitute Pakistani boy into a
ruthless militant, besides throwing light on the entire set up, thriving under the Pakistan
government’s wings that works day and night to manufacture more and more Jihadis with the
raw material derived from the country’s poorest provinces.

July 1998

Graffiti on the yellow wall outside my village Faridkot in Punjab is the first thing that comes
to my mind whenever I close my eyes and ruminate.

Go For Jihad….Go For Jihad...Markaz Dawat ul Irshad

10
My father makes very little money by selling dahi puri. Whatever he had was spent in sister
Rukaiyya’s wedding. I detest my brother Afzal, who works as a labourer day and night and
brings home so little. Munir, Surriya and I constantly fight…….

September 2003

My parents forced me to join Afzal….but I can’t be a labourer…I returned and am lazing

around…they can feed one more mouth…

3rd Nov 2005, Eid

I had a bitter fight with my father. He was unable to provide me with the clothes I had
demanded. I am going away…to find means to become rich…

2006

I and friend Muzaffar Ali Khan are making a lot of money. They say I have fallen in bad
company, but robbery is something that gives you quick bucks and the risk is minimal. Here
you can easily get away with any crime as long as you keep the police happy.

Dec 21, 2007, Bakrid

It turned out to be an important day. While haggling over the price of weapons in the market
(unlike India, here they are freely available, though rules speak otherwise) we met some
workers of Jama’at –ud -Da’wah, the political wing of Lashkar.

They gave us some pamphlets that they were distributing. They promised us fame, money
and glory if we joined their base camp at Markaz Taiba. We agreed.

My father would not mind it too so long as I gave him money. Though later I gathered that he
said on TV- ‘I don’t sell my sons.” Liar…!

March- April 2008

We were taken to a remote mountainous area of Muzaffarabad and then to Mangla Dam area
and given training in various types of warfare. We were a batch of 24 men. It was fun!

The Training

We were given a crash course in terror attack in Daura Aam.

I was selected for specialised training in Daura Khas at Mansehra. General Saheb supervised
us here.

Experienced military men of Pakistan Army and ISI trained us in sophisticated warfare. They
made us watch repeatedly videos of Hindu atrocities in Kashmir…and brutal treatment meted
out to Muslims in Palestine to Chechnya. The footages showed nothing unusual that we did
not witness in our land daily, but somehow the trainers at our camp were able to generate a
lot of hatred within us.

11
But more than the hatred it was money that mattered. Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi offered my
family Rs 1, 50,000 if I participated in the attacks. Besides, all we had to do was to wield the
gun, our safety was guaranteed as all arrangements had already been made.

Out of 25, ten of us were chosen for Mumbai Mission.

Mumbai Mission

The aim was to avenge the atrocities on our brethren (I still am not sure about these so called
atrocities and how we were affected by it) and to replicate 9/11 type attacks. Nariman will be
targeted for its Jewish connections and Taj is to suffer the fate of Marriott.

Mid 2008

I have been given stylish clothes, money, fancy watches and stylish bags. Unable to contain
the urge to show them off to my family and neighbourhood, I literally begged to be allowed
to go home. Hope was dim as after providing this kind of training we are rarely allowed to go
home lest we spill the secret beans. But then, there are many open secrets in my mulk!

I have been given permission to visit Faridkot…but for a very short duration and along with
two army men in disguise.

Passage to India

It didn’t turn out to be difficult at all. The country has practically no surveillance in its
waters. We boarded Al-Husseini (the boat) from Karachi in Pakistan to come to Mumbai.
Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Abu Jindal and Abu Hamza came to see us off. We carried ration
and oil (fuel). Later, we shifted to Indian fishing trawler `Kuber` and slit the throat of its
navigator.

Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus

My Versace designer label T-shirt and stylish cargos stole away the attention from my
luggage which had rifles and ammunition. Clothes make such a hell lot of a difference!

Ismail and I managed to kill nearly 50 unsuspecting travellers in Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus.
It was blood all over. At first I felt slightly giddy. But Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and Yusuf
Muzammil’s encouragement over phone boosted our confidence.

Cama Hospital

We fired randomly on a police vehicle, killing on spot three senior police officials clad in
bullet-proofs! One was ATS Chief Karkare, the other was Encounter Specialist Salaskar and
the third was Additional Commissioner Kamte.

We took two constables as hostages.

12
Metro Cinema, Vidhan Bhavan

We fired a few shots at the crowd at Metro cinema and Vidhan Bhavan just for the fun of it!
In the meanwhile Ismail shot one of the constables when his mobile rang.

Chowpatty

Reaching Chowpatty was not in our plan. But police had got the message and they nailed us
here. Ismail died in the gun fight that followed. I pretended to be dead and when a sub
inspector (Tukaram Omble) armed just with a lathi tried to capture me, I pumped five bullets
in his body, but he held on to my weapon till his colleagues captured me!

A mob gathered and attacked my vehicle. I was scared to death!

Hospital

I had killed hundreds in a night, but the death of Ismail and the pain due to the bullet lodged
in my arm took all my wits away. All I wanted at that moment was to live..! “Put me on
saline…I do not want to die”, I pleaded with the hospital staff.

But when the police began to grill me, I realized what I had landed into and sincerely wished
to die! I was supposed to be a Fidayeen who is never captured alive…but I was..!
In Jail

My name is not Kasab. I am Amir Ajmal and I belong to Kasav (butcher) caste. It angers me
when they call me by this name.

I have told them everything. May be they can leave me if I turn approver.

I told them I can work for India also if I am paid well.

I have told them that I will speak only before the camera.

They asked me about jihad. I told them what I was taught, that you kill in jihad and become
rich and famous.

No lawyer is ready to fight for me.

I am pained and shocked. My own Pakistan’s Prime Minister refuses to admit that I belong to
his country. Then where do I belong to?

No one has yet contacted me. No one has attempted to free me.

I feel like a lab animal.

They asked me to recite verses from Quran. But I have never read it!

Time and again I am taken to the court. Sometimes I laugh, sometimes I cry. Showing that I
am mentally deranged may help me.

13
I can ask for anything, do anything. This is a country where everyone has ample rights-even
militants like me. I want everything on camera so that the human rights people can fight for
me!

I have demanded basmati rice. I abuse openly and fight with the staff here. I like doing so…..

They have coaxed me to read Gandhi, thinking I will change!

I have accused the jail authorities of giving me drug laced food. I know all that I say in court
is splashed by media…

Almost all witnesses have identified me. The CCTV cameras have my footage, killing and
rampaging. I had confessed earlier hoping for some respite and also hoping that the Pakistan
Generals would rescue me. But all my hopes have been frustrated. I have understood that
Fidayeens are not supposed to live…

Did they use me in the name of religion; did they exploit my poverty and vulnerable age? I
was trained like an army man, entrusted with a task which they said inspired respect and
would make Islam proud, I felt like a hero…..but they made me a villain, a killer, a terrorist!

And now they are not ready to acknowledge me…my father, mother, villagers, friends…all
deny my existence!

I feel horrified thinking that the bodies of the ‘martyrs of Islam’ are rotting in an enemy
state…and the advocates of religion are moving freely, enjoying, making public appearances,
giving lectures and converting more and more Kasabs into mindless robots ready to kill,
avenge and destroy beings so lovingly created by Allah….

As for me…life is encumbering….and death a sweet serenity….

Analysis:

Before exploring psychological approaches to the specific problem of terrorist violence, it

may be helpful first to examine whether and how psychology and other behavioural sciences
have sought to explain violent behaviour more generally. Definitions of “violence” in the
social science literature are at least as plentiful as definitions of terrorism. Most focus on
causing harm to others, but some also include suicide and self-mutilation as forms of
“violence to self.” Acts that intentionally cause physical harm or injury to another person
would fit within most definitions. Yet many would insist that those parameters are much too
narrow and restrictive to provide any meaningful description of violence. They might argue
that threats as well as overt acts be included, that psychological or emotional harm is as
relevant as physical harm, and that injury is merely an outcome and not a descriptor of the
act. On the other hand, some would contend that “intentional harm” is too restrictive because
it would include legitimate behaviour in some contact sports or consensual infliction of pain.

1. Violence is “caused” by multiple factors, many of which are strongly related to - and
even affect - each other. The dichotomy of “Nature vs. Nurture” in explaining any
form of human behaviour, including violence, is outdated and inconsistent with the
current state of research in the field. Violence is “caused” by a complex interaction of

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 biological, social/contextual, cognitive, and emotional factors that occur over time.
Some causes will be more prominent than others for certain individuals and for
certain types of violence and aggression.
2. violence can be usefully viewed as intentional. It is chosen as a strategy of action. It is
purposeful (goal-directed) and intended to achieve some valued outcome for the actor.
It is not the product of innate, instinctual drives , nor is it the inevitable consequence
of predetermining psychological and social forces. Obviously, many factors influence
that decision and the competing options available, but humans typically are not
passive vessels for involuntary displays of behaviour. Certainly, there are exceptions.
One can conceive of circumstances where an individual might have some brain
dysfunction that causes general disinhibition and/or emotional instability that may
result in aggression or violence. This would be inconsistent, though, with the kind of
organization and planning necessary to carry out a terrorist attack.

Ideology plays a crucial role in terrorist's target selection; it supplies terrorists with an initial
motive for action and provides a prism through which they view events and the actions of
other people

The term “ideology” often carries a negative connotation. In reality, however, the term is
functionally neutral, and, broadly conceived, applies to many. Ideology is often defined as a
common and broadly agreed upon set of rules to which an individual subscribers, which help
to regulate and determine behaviour. These “rules” are, of course, also linked to (perhaps
even guided by) one’s beliefs, values, principles, and goals. The difference and relationship
between an ideology and a worldview may depend on one’s perspective - perhaps a
worldview is broader or just less overt – nonetheless they serve a similar function of acting
not only to provide guidelines for behaviour, but also as a lens through which we perceive
and interpret information, cues, and events in our environment . Many religions either
embrace or sustain an ideology. The doctrine or core beliefs are certainly a central element of
a religious system, but those beliefs generally are at least implicitly tied to a set of “rules,”
which would comprise an ideology.

The substance of ideologies among individuals and groups probably extend through the entire
range of human interest and values. There do, however, appear to be some commonalities in
the process or structure of terrorist ideologies that may help inform an understanding of
terrorist behaviour. “The thinking of the terrorist evidently shows the same kind of cognitive
distortions observed in others who engage in violent acts, either solely as individuals or as
members of a group. These include overgeneralization that is, the supposed sins of the enemy
may spread to encompass the entire population. Also, they show dichotomous thinking that a
people are either totally good or totally bad. Finally, they demonstrate tunnel vision once they
are engaged in their holy mission (e.g., jihad), their thinking, and consequently their actions,
focuses exclusively on the destruction of the target.”

The role and influence of culture on terrorism generally and on terrorist ideologies
specifically has been virtually neglected by most social science researchers. “There is one
fundamental issue relevant to such understanding that is rarely mentioned in terrorism studies
and yet the virtual absence of which is an unambiguous sign of the flawed methodology
currently in vogue. This is the issue of culture”

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According to a study research shows that the main reason for to become a terrorists are as
follows:

• Honor
• Dedication to the leader
• Social status
• Narcissism
• Personal significance
• Pain and personal loss
• Group pressure
• Humiliation
• Injustice
• Vengeance
• Feminism
• Humiliation
• Exposure to violence
• Occupation
• Lack of alternative prospects
• Displacement
• Restoration of the glory of Islam
• Poverty
• Moral obligation
• Need to belong
• Heaven
• Simplification of life
• Inspirational leadership
• Friendship
• Status
• Glamour
• Money
• Support for one’s family

In our case Ajmal Amir Kasab was born in Pakistan in 1987. He was involved in pretty crime
in Lahore. After the terrorist attack according to the reports we come to know that Ajmal
Amir Kasab was offered money for the terrorist attack by which we can clearly see the facts
that there were more than one cause for the Kasab to become terrorist and so is the case of
Afzal Guru. So we can say that the transformation of the psychological is an important factor
in terrorism and so to prevent terrorism government has to take steps which helps to prevent
young minds from this transformation as it is considered as first step in terrorism.

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