By IANS,
Islamabad: The Pakistani Army Wednesday termed as “false and fabricated” media reports that three of its serving officers had assisted Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative David Coleman Headley in executing the 26/11 Mumbai mayhem.
“The allegation is false and fabricated. It aims to malign the Pakistan Army and the ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence,” a spokesman of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
“There is absolutely no linkage or connection whatsoever between the Army/ISI and David Headlley. The report appears to be part of an overall design with a malicious intent to bring disrepute to our national security organisations,” the spokesman added.
Media reports last week quoted Headley as telling a US court that serving Pakistani Army officers were involved in the 26/11 carnage and that one of them was “on the other side of the telephone line” with the terrorists during the 2008 attack.
According to Outlook news magazine editor-in-chief Vinod Mehta, the involvement of the Pakistani Army officers proves their “direct link” with the terror carnage in India’s commercial and financial capital in 2008 that left 166 people dead, including 26 foreigners.
“David Headley has confessed to the involvement of serving Pakistani Army officers in 26/11,” Mehta told CNN-IBN news channel.
“Of them, three are serving and one is retired,” he said, adding it showed the “direct link” of the Pakistani Army with the terror strike that shook the country.
“(Pakistani Army officer) Col. Shah was on the other side of the telephone line (keeping in touch with the 26/11 terrorists),” Mehta told the television channel.
According to Outlook, Headley has reportedly identified Major Sayeed, Major Iqbal, Major Sameer and Colonel Shah as the officers involved in the 26/11 attacks.
Headley has confessed to his involvement in the 26/11 attacks in a plea bargain with US authorities under which he will not be extradited to India or Denmark, where he is also wanted for plotting terror acts, or be given the death sentence.
Under the plea bargain, India can have access to the LeT operative by deposition, video conferencing or through Letters Rogatory.