26/11 terror attacks 'a good job', Rana told Headley

After the terror attacks in Mumbai last year, terror suspect Tahawwur Hussain Rana complimented members of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, saying they had done a 'good job', United States prosecutors have alleged.

According to a 10-page memo filed by United States prosecutors in a Chicago court on Monday, Rana asked co-conspirator David Coleman Headley to "pass along a message" to LeT Member A, whom Rana had given the name 'Khalid bin Waleed'.

"In the world, if there had been a medal for command, top class," the documents quoted Rana as saying.

It further adds that Headley then interrupts Rana and informs him that he already had passed that message and "I (Headley) took your (Rana's) name when I said it".

Rana responded, "There is no doubt, it is a very befitting name for him. Very good. Good job".

Headley then explained that while LeT Member A briefed the attackers on the targets, a different LeT member trained the attackers. "Training was by Abu Qahafa, this Jamaat (group) prepares people really well".

Rana responded, "Whatever mixture you guys have made, whichever person did it, yeah, there they stood their ground".

The US prosecutors added, "Far from advocating non-violence, Rana's own statements reveal his support for the brutal killing of 166 people. It is quite clear that Rana is no Gandhi".

Headley has been charged with conspiring in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Rana, through his lawyer Patrick Blegen, has denied that he was involved in the attacks that killed 166 people. Blegen was not available immediately for comment on the prosecutors' charges.

The documents filed by federal prosecutors also allege that Rana praised the terror outfit LeT when Headley mentioned that a LeT member will be used to carry out an attack on the National Defence College in India.

 "After Headley states that 'we' will use LeT Member A to carry out the attack on the Defensce College, Rana again offered praise for Let Member A and LeT.

"They should be really commended. I appreciate them from my heart," Rana said in a secretly recorded conversation with Headley.

Last week, Headley pleaded not guilty to charges he faces in connection with the Denmark and India terror plots. Rana, a Pakistani native and Canadian citizen, is charged with providing material support to a conspiracy to commit a terrorist attack overseas.