Akshardham attack plotted in Saudi Arabia: Witness

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Akshardham attack plotted in Riyadh: Witness

Press Trust of India

Ahmedabad, July 15, 2005

A key witness in the Akshardham temple terrorist attack case on

Friday claimed that several religious leaders and heads of terrorist

groups from Hyderabad and Ahmedabad met in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia in

2002 to conspire and avenge the killing of Muslims during the post-

Godhra communal riots in Gujarat.

 

The name of the witness cannot be revealed due to a gag order issued

by the special POTA court, prosecution sources said on Friday night.

 

Trial in the sensational attack case, in which 31 people, including

four security persons, were killed and over 80 injured began on

Thursday in-camera inside the Sabarmati Central Jail.

 

The witness told the court that religious heads from Hyderabad and

Ahmedabad had converged at Riyadh and also took CDs of the riots

that occurred in parts of Gujarat, sources said.

 

He informed the court that large amount of money was also collected

from Riyadh for procuring material required to execute the attacks,

including the well-planned one on the Akshardham temple.

 

The witness, a native of Gujarat and who claims that he was

also "present" at the meeting, added that after the meeting some of

those who had gone from India returned and visited Ahmedabad and

Hyderabad to make further plans for the attack.

 

However, the execution of Akshardham temple attack was given to two

Pakistani terrorists who were eventually gunned down by the National

Security Guards after a nightlong gun battle on September 24, 2002.

 

Apart from the Akshardham attack four city transport buses were also

targeted and bombs were planted which left some injured but no life

was lost.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1432063,0008.htm?

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