New Delhi: In a development that signals a major change of stand following international pressure, China has for the first time publicly acknowledged the complicity of Pakistan’s Laskar-e-Taiba (LeT) behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that claimed the lives of 164 people and left over 300 injured.
The Chinese State Television CCTV9, in a documentary aired recently, has highlighted the role of LeT and also provides details regarding its sponsors in the attacks that lasted four days across Mumbai.
The latest development is significant as it comes on the eve of the expiry of Beijing’s decision to place on technical hold the listing of three known LeT/JuD (Jamaat-ud-Dawa) militants -- Hafiz Abdul Rahman Makki, Talha Saeed and Hafiz Abdul Rauf, on June 9, 2016.
The listing of these individuals by the Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the United Nations Security Council in September 2015, had the overwhelming support of all members of the international community, with the exception of China, which acted on Pakistan’s behest.
China had in the past said that it “feels awkward about the Mumbai terror attacks and wants to address India's concerns over terrorism emanating from Pakistan in a more constructive way”.
Most recently, China had invited global flak for putting a technical hold over the listing of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Hafiz Saeed, even though the JeM stands listed by the United Nations Sanctions Committee.
India has blamed LeT for the coordinated attacks on November 26, 2008, in Mumbai. Islamabad had admitted that the terrorist actions were plotted on its soil by the militant group, but denied the role of the state in the gruesome killings.
Though LeT is banned in Pakistan, many of its leaders, including Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, roam freely and hold public rallies.
10 members of LeT had carried out a series of 12 coordinated attacks lasting four days across Mumbai, killing 164 people and injuring at least 308.
