Trial of accused in Mumbai attacks adjourned till Sept 19

Rezaul H Laskar

Islamabad, Sep 5 (PTI) The Pakistani anti-terror court
conducting the trial of Lashker-e-Taiba operatives and other
suspects accused of involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks
Saturday adjourned the hearing till September 19.

Judge Baqir Ali Rana of the anti-terrorism court is
conducting the trial of five LeT operatives, including
operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and communications
expert Zarar Shah, and two other suspects within the
high-security Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

The proceedings are being conducted in-camera and the
judge has ordered a media blackout, citing national security
concerns as well as the security of the accused and witnesses.

Sources told PTI that Judge Rana adjourned the case till
September 19 following Saturday's proceedings.

However, no details about the proceedings were available
following the media gag.

Lawyers representing the accused said they had been
directed by the court to strictly adhere to the gag order and
not to discuss the proceedings with the media.

Shahbaz Rajput, a lawyer representing two of the accused,
told PTI, "I protest against this media blackout. The whole
world is aware of the allegations levelled against my clients
and the authorities should now make public whatever evidence
they have against them."

Rajput said the interests of his clients are being
affected by the media blackout. (MORE) PTI