Mumbai attacks cost Lashkar Rs 4 crore

The November 26 attacks on Mumbai may have cost the Lashkar-e-Tayiba between Rs 3.5 crores (Rs 35 million) and Rs 4 crores (Rs 40 million), estimate Intelligence Bureau officers.

IB sources said they arrived at the figure based on the statements of Sabahuddin, one of the terrorists who participated in the attack on the Indian Institute of Science, Bengalaru, on December 28, 2005.

Sources said Sabahuddin, who was arrested for the attack on the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force camp in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, revealed that the Lashkar spent Rs 50 lakh (Rs 5 million) on the IISc attack.

Each of the ten terrorists, who participated in the Mumbai attacks, would have received at least Rs 20 lakh (Rs 2 million), IB officials told rediff.com

They also estimate that the amount spent on arms and ammunition would have been around Rs 50 lakh (Rs 5 million). This amount included payment for the rifles, electronic devices and ammunition. IB sources said the terrorists did not spend much on the weapons and ammunition since they are available at throwaway prices.

Sources said the terrorists are not given any money during training.

They are supposed to eat the food given to them and there is no question of eating out. Smoking and chewing tobacco is banned. However, as they wait for final orders after the training, they are allowed to ask for as much money as they want and are never denied, the IB sources said.

Sabahuddin told his interrogators that the terrorists are always paid in US dollars and the money is never given in cash. While he waited for orders for the IISc attack, he said the money was transferred to an account.

'Four transfers of $2,200 were done. Every time I asked for money there were no questions asked on how we planned to spend this money,' the sources quoted Sabahuddin as saying.

The terrorists insist that a major chunk of the money is sent to their families, the sources added.

Sabahuddin told his interrogators that while the Lashkar-e-Tayiba spends as much as needed on terror operations, it insists on accountability. Sahabuddin, the sources added, said he had received a dressing down from Lashkar planner Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhwi, who was angry that the Indian Institute of Science operation had failed.