Author: Times News Network
Publication: The Times of India
Date: July 2, 2006
Introduction: Dismissing the revenge theory,
the court said it took seven to eight months to hatch the conspiracy long
enough for feelings of revenge to subside
A Pota court in Ahmedabad on Saturday sent
three terrorists to the gallows and sentenced one to life for one of the most
heinous attacks on civilians in India - at the Akshardham temple. Thirty-three
people, including two commandos, were killed and 81 injured, when two 'fidayeen'
stormed the temple complex in Gandhinagar and sprayed bullets indiscriminately
on devotees on September 24, 2002.
Those given the death sentence were Adam Suleman
Ajmeri, Abdul Qayyurn alias Muftisaheb Mohammed Mansuri and Chandkhan Sajjadkhan
alias Shanmiya, all linked to the Lashkar-e-Toiba which has since emerged
as the single most dangerous terror group in India with an Al Qaida affiliation.
Mohammed Salim Mohammed Hanif Shaikh was sentenced to life imprisonment (until
death). Altaf Hussain Akbar Hussain Malek and Abdullahmiya Yasinmiya Kadri
were sentenced to five and ten-year rigorous imprisonments respectively. All
six accused will also have to pay fines.
