‘Our sailors stay alert and awake’: Navy Chief

Vishakhapatnam : In the wake of David Coleman Headley’s revelation that two attempts were made prior to the final attack in Mumbai on November 26, 2008, Navy Chief Admiral R.K. Dhowan on Monday assured the nation that the sailors stay alert and awake so that the people can sleep peacefully.
Meanwhile, Admiral (Retired) Suresh Mehta, who was then the chief of Naval Staff, said that various improvements were brought after the 2008 attack.

“The coast line is very long so there are possibilities of entering. After that, we put up various improvements. They have all taken effect. There is a centralised control room now. Inputs from everywhere come there. Real time information is available in one place whether it is Police, Coast Guard or Navy or aircraft,” he told ANI.

“We have increased the surveillance on the coast. There are increased numbers of coastal police stations. And keeping all this in mind, I don’t think such an event must get repeated. There was no coordination problem in 2008,” he added.

In a crucial deposition of Headley before the Mumbai court through video conference today, he admitted that two prior failed attempts were made by the same 10 terrorists involved in 26/11 Mumbai attacks, who tried similar attempts in September and October 2008.

Headley admitted changing his name from Dawood Gilani to David Headley to enter India and to conceal his identity. Headley visited India eight times before 26/11 attacks and once after the attack. Headley also admitted to giving false information in the visa application.

In a vital revelation, Headley admitted to meeting Sajid Mir of LeT who was his main contact. Headley said that he changed his name in passport on instruction from Sajid Mir.

Senior lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani told the media that his counsel Headley has told the special court that he acted on the advice of Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed.

Top Mumbai Police and NIA officials were present in the court alongside the US Embassy officials.

Headley’s deposition will continue in the Mumbai court at 7 a.m. tomorrow.

It is for the first time in the Indian legal history that a foreign terrorist is providing his evidences through video link. (ANI)