Headley brought red bracelets for Mumbai attackers: Documents

[1]

In his last surveillance trip to India before 26/11, David C Headley, the Mumbai attacks terror accused, at the instruction of his Pakistani handler Major Iqbal bought 15 red bracelets to be worn by the attackers so that they can disguise as Hindus, according to unsealed court documents released on Thursday.

In July 2008, Headley returned to Mumbai for the fifth time to carry out instructions and surveillance activities, during which he conducted surveillance of a number of locations, including the Taj Mahal hotel, Oberoi Hotel, Leopold Café, Chabad House, the train station, various potential landing sites.

Headley also visited a Hindu temple, where he purchased approximately 15 red bracelets commonly worn by followers of the Hindu faith, the court documents said. While Headley was performing this final surveillance in advance of the Mumbai attack, Major Iqbal attempted to contact Headley through Tahawwur Hussein Rana and obtain a status on his efforts, it said.

Once his surveillance was completed, Headley returned to Pakistan and gave Sajid Mir the GPS device so that its contents could be downloaded. Headley and Sajid watched the surveillance videos together and discussed Headley's recommendations based on his surveillance.

"Headley gave Sajid the approximately 15 red bracelets he had purchased and recommended that the attackers wear the bracelets during the attack in order to disguise themselves. Once the GPS was downloaded, Headley kept possession of it. Headley also met with Major Iqbal, and again debriefed him not only on what he had done, but also his discussions with Lashkar leaders," he said.

Federal prosecutors said from July to November 2008, Headley met with Lashkar leaders, including Sajid and Abu Qahafa, several times and learned additional details regarding the planning of the attacks.

"Sajid discussed ways the attackers could rob the jewelry store in the Taj Mahal hotel and how those stolen items could be taken out of Mumbai and sold," it said.

Sajid stated that Zaki planned the Mumbai attack and wanted to control all aspects of the assault. Sajid explained to Headley that the attackers – who were referred to as the 'boys' – were training in a camp in Pakistan under Sajid and Abu Qahafa's supervision, and that Abu Qahafa was with the boys every step of the way.

Sajid told Headley that they were training 12 attackers, but only planned to use 10. As a part of their training, Sajid told Headley that the attackers were being taught to swim and given nautical training.

Later, Sajid told Headley that six of the boys did not know how to swim and Sajid, at Headley's suggestion, bought the boys life vests, according to the documents.

In September 2008, Headley had a meeting with Sajid and Abu Qahafa (while driving within Pakistan) during which Sajid informed Headley that Lashkar had dropped earlier plans for the attackers to attempt escape, and instead decided that they would fight to the death.

"Abu Qahafa stated that he thought this plan was better because it would cause the boys to fight harder. Sajid explained that once the boys knew that they were going to die in the attack, Hafiz Saeed, Zaki, and others gave lectures to the boys about the glory of martyrdom. During these lectures, Saeed told the boys that being shot would feel like a pin prick, blood stains would be like rose petals, and that angels would come down to take their souls," it said.

Sajid and Headley continued to meet throughout September, October, and November, and Sajid told Headley about many of the details of the attack preparations.

At one point, Sajid gave Headley a cell phone and asked him to take it as close to the Indian border as possible to test the reception.

"When Headley reported back that the phone got reception, Sajid told Headley that the 'boys' would carry cell phones during the attack and that their numbers would be masked with some technique," it said.

"During another meeting, Sajid told Headley that the 'boys' would travel to Mumbai by boat and that they would over-take an Indian fishing vessel and take it to Mumbai. Sajid also told Headley that the 'boys' would be using the landing point in Mumbai that Headley had suggested based on his surveillance and would find the location based on the GPS unit. In addition, Sajid told Headley that Zaki had decided to add the CST train station as a target," the documents said.