Chicago, May 23
Pakistan’s Intelligence agency ISI had links with Mumbai attack co-accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana and David Headley, the prosecution submitted during the trial of Rana that opened in the US today.

During opening statements at Chicago’s Dirksen Federal Building, assistant US attorney Sarah Streicker said Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian, told Headley, an American of Pakistani origin, after the Mumbai carnage in which 166 persons were killed in November 2008 that the “Indians deserved it.”

Streicker said Rana provided cover for for his longtime friend Headley who took photos and videos of targets in Mumbai before the attacks and that Rana led Headley to pose as a representative for his Chicago-based immigration businesses. Rana(50) has pleaded not guilty but Headley (50) his old friend from military school in Pakistan pleaded guilty. The arguments in the trial are being heard by a 12-member jury. Charlie Swift, Rana's lawyer, said Headley was Rana's good friend and the Pakistani-Canadian was duped by him. Rana did not know that his business was used for cover, Swift said, adding Headley had a bad boy's image in college. "The defendant didn't carry a gun or throw a grenade. In a complicated and sophisticated plot, not every player carries a weapon. People like the defendant who provide support are just as critical to the success," Streicker said. Rana's attorneys say their client was simply duped by his longtime friend and didn't know what was in store. Headley and Rana, who has lived in Chicago for years, met at one of Pakistan's most prestigious military boarding schools and stayed in touch as adults. Swift told jurors that Headley was a “manipulative man” who “balanced multiple lives,” including working for Laskhar-e-Toiba(LeT), Pakistani intelligence and the US Drug Enforcement Administration at the same time. But Steicker said Rana knew what he was getting into. She said Rana provided cover for Headley and led him to pose as a representative for his Chicago-based immigration business. "The defendant knew all too well that when Headley travels to a foreign country, people may die," Streicker said. Streicker said the government will show jurors evidence including emails between Headley and Rana that were written in code. She said Headley considered Rana “his best friend in the world.” Rana is the seventh name on the indictment, and the only defendant in custody. Among the six others charged in absentia is “Major Iqbal” and Sajid Mir, allegedly another LeT supervisor who also “handled” Headley. If convicted, Rana faces a possible life sentence. While Headley has pleaded guilty, Rana has not pleaded guilty. — PTI