NEW DELHI: Ajmal Kasab Denies All Charges, In a dramatic twist to the Mumbai terror attacks case, main accused Mohammad Ajmal Kasab on Friday retracted from his earlier statement.

Denying all charges against him, Kasab said the statement was made under duress.

The lone surviving accused arrested by the police during the Mumbai attacks was scheduled to give a statement today on evidence introduced against him by the prosecution for his alleged role in the 26/11 terror attacks.

Two Indians, Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, who are facing trial along with Kasab, would also give their statements after the court records Kasab’s version.

All the three accused are charged with murder of 166 persons and participating in the conspiracy.

MUMBAI: An Indian judge on Friday decided against dismissing the lawyer of the only surviving gunman in last year’s Mumbai terror attacks, avoiding possible lengthy delays in his trial.

Judge M.L. Tahiliyani said he accepted an apology from defense lawyer Abbas Kazmi after a minor courtroom squabble and hoped the decision would help bring the trial to a swift conclusion.

Finding a replacement for Kazmi could have led to months of delays. He was appointed by the court to defend Mohammed Ajmal Kasab after several other lawyers refused to represent him.

Kasab is on trial with two Indian co-defendants accused of helping plot the attacks on Mumbai, India’s financial hub. They have been charged with 12 criminal counts, including murder and waging war against India. If convicted, all three could face the death penalty.

Thursday’s dispute arose after Kazmi accused the prosecutor of improperly handing him copies of witnesses’ statements without submitting them to the court first. The judge stated that the court had already been informed in Kazmi’s presence of the decision to submit the statements and accused the defense attorney of lying.

“How can I trust such a person,” the judge said.

Thursday was the first anniversary of the attacks, which began on Nov. 26 and lasted three days, killing 166 people.

The militants targeted 10 city landmarks, including two five-star hotels, a crowded train station and a Jewish center.

Eid ul Azha Being Celebrated in Gulf, Eid-ul Azha is being celebrated in Britain, Europe and Gulf States including Saudi Arabia with religious fervor. Some two million Hajj pilgrims have offered Eid prayers in Saudi Arabia.
The pilgrims will collect pebbles to throw at walls at the Jamarat Bridge on three occasions over the next three days in an act that symbolises the rejection of the devil’s temptations.
US President Barack Obama sent greetings on behalf of the United States to pilgrims performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia, and Muslims worldwide celebrating Eidul Azha.
Muslims in Britain are celebrating Eid with religious zeal and zest. UK’s Foreign Secretary David Miliband has offered his warmest regards to Muslims, both in the UK and all over the world, at this special time of year.
During his message the Foreign Secretary said he was proud of the consular support the UK offered British Muslims who have taken part in the Hajj and said that this time of year is an important time of reflection for Muslims all over the world.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan News: President Asif Ali Zardari has directed his party leaders not to issue statements against MQM.
MQM has demanded resignation of Sindh Interior Minister Zulifqar from the office on using derogatory words against the party leaders.
On the other hand, Sindh Information Minister Shazia Marri while talking to Dunya News said that MQM and PPP are committed to move ahead with reconciliatory process while some elements wanted to derail the democratic system but they could not be succeeded.

Pittsburgh: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked Pakistan ‘to give up its attitude of using terror as an instrument of state policy’ as ‘that was the only obstacle in normalising relations with its neighbour.’

“India’s message is that India seeks to normalise its relationship with Pakistan. But the only obstacle is that it should shed its old attitude of using terror as a state policy,” he said at a post G-20 summit news conference here Friday.

Manmohan Singh also reiterated India’s demand that Pakistan take action against those involved in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, saying that if Islamabad took proper action India would move the extra mile to normalise relations.

“We have supplied our material and evidence for them to carry out investigation. Although the tragedy took place in India, the conspiracy took place in Pakistan. Pakistan has admitted to this. We want them to bring to book the culprits involved in the November 26 attacks,” he said.

Manmohan Singh said there was no change in India’s stand on Pakistan since the Sharm-el-Sheikh talks with his counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani, a position he has made clear in the Indian parliament.

“If you read my statements in parliament, I have explained the government’s position and I think there is no change on this,” he said when asked how he looked forward to moving ahead with relations with Pakistan.