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I am lucky to be alive, says Qasab

Updated on: 19 April,2009 06:23 AM IST |
J Dey |

Qasab shown bodies of other 26/11 terrorists, says he is thankful for his fate

I am lucky to be alive, says Qasab<br/>

Mohammed Ajmal Qasab, the lone captured terroristu00a0and file photo of the bloody scene at CST terminus, after the 26/11 attacku00a0

Crime Branch officials say they knew that captured Lashkar-e-Toiba Mohammed Ajmal Qasab would claim to be a minor before the judge so that he could be tried under the lenient Juvenile Act.

Joint Commissioner of Police (crime) Rakesh Maria said he became suspicious when Qasab gave his pet name as 'Balka', meaning 'child'.

Investigators suspected he would later take advantage of the name.

"Though Qasab pretended to behave like a 'jhalla' or ignorant, he is cunning," remarked Maria.

Maria said he ensured that Qasab state his real name and age to various investigating agencies so that the fact can be captured on record.

He gave his real date of birth (November 13, 1987) when he was transferred to Arthur Road jail last month.

Now, the police have at least half a dozen documents to establish that Qasab has admitted to being 21 years old.

Qasab is also believed to have told police that he went on a killing spree so that he could go to heaven.

When he was taken to the morgue, where he saw the bullet-riddled, mutilated bodies of his slain companions, he told officers escorting him: "I am lucky to be alive."

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