Rana, Headley part of 26/11 terror team: Attorney

Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Rana was involved in the Mumbai attacks and he and his friend David Headley were part of the same team that carried out the terror assault in 2008, a US federal attorney told a Chicago court on Tuesday.

"Evidences flatly contradict the defence argument that Rana was not part of it. Rana and Headley were part of the same team," the attorney said as the closing argument in the Rana case started.

"Rana knowingly conspired with Headley on terror plots, both Mumbai and Copenhagen. Rana was not fooled by Headley. Rana was not duped by Headley. Rana knew about the terror plots and helped him in carrying these terror plots and activities."

"In 2005 Headley told Rana that he was receiving training from Lashkar. There is no dispute that Lashkar-e-Tayiba is a designated terrorist organisation. In 2006 Rana helped Headley open an immigration office even he had no immigration experience. Rana knew that Headley had other projects in India and was working with HuJI commander Iliyas Kashmiri and Sajid Mir, one the Pakistani handlers of Headley."

"Headley briefed Rana every time he came back from India. Rana knew by May of 2008 knew of the Mumbai terrorist attack plan. Pakistani handlers knew that Rana was helping Headley in the terror endeavor," the attorney said.

Earlier, the jury arrived in the court room at 9.30 am local time. The proceedings began with government attorney, presenting his case.

Rana who did not appear tense, greeted his attorneys and smiled at his wife Samraz who was seated in the courtroom.

Headley, 50, during his testimony on May 31, had said that he made a "fool" of his friend Rana by involving him in the 26/11 Mumbai attack conspiracy. "I made a fool of him (Rana).

"Poor fellow was stuck in this for no fault of his. I made a fool of him in getting to assist me on what I did. I made a fool of him," Headley said.

While Headley has plead guilty, Rana has maintained that he is not guilty in the charge of "support to terrorism". If convicted Rana, 50, faces a possible life sentence.

During the trial which has lasted nearly two weeks, the defence depicted Headley as skilled manipulator who kept his Rana in the dark about his terrorist activity while using him as an unwitting accomplice.

Headley, a Pakistani-American, the star witness in the case of Rana, who is standing trial after being slapped with a dozen charges in connection with the Mumbai attacks in which 166 persons, including six Americans were killed.

Rana was indicted by a federal grand jury under 12 counts on February 15 last year for planning out the Mumbai attacks, providing material support to LeT to carry out the bombings, and guiding Headley in scouting targets in Mumbai in the process.

Headley formally admitted to 12 terrorism charges in March 2010 after striking a deal with US prosecutors to avoid the death penalty or extradition to India, Pakistan or Denmark to face related charges.