US offers reward of $5 mn for info on those responsible for 26/11 Mumbai attacks

Offering a new reward for up to $5 million for information all those responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008, the US has issued a statement asking Pakistan "to implement sanctions against the terrorists responsible" for the atrocities that led to 166 deaths.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday, November 25, expressing solidarity with the people of India and the city of Mumbai on the 10th anniversary of the attack, said: "We stand with the families and friends of the victims, whose loved ones were lost in this act of barbarism, including six American citizens. The barbarity of 26/11 shocked the entire world.

"It is an affront to the families of the victims that, after ten years, those who planned the Mumbai attack have still not been convicted for their involvement."

"We call upon all countries, particularly Pakistan, to uphold their UN Security Council obligations to implement sanctions against the terrorists responsible for this atrocity, including Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and its affiliates."

The Trump administration announced this major reward (of over ₹35 crore) on the 10th anniversary of the terror attack in which 10 Pakistan-based LeT terrorist went on a shooting rampage in India's financial hub killing 166 people, including six Americans.

The move comes less than a fortnight after Vice President Mike Pence had a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Singapore, during which he is believed to have himself raised this issue and rued that even 10 years after the Mumbai terrorist attack its perpetrators have not been brought to justice.

From November 26 to 29, 2008, 10 terrorist associated with the LeT carried out a series of coordinated assaults against multiple targets in Mumbai, it said. "The United States is committed to working with our international partners to identify and bring to justice those responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attack," it said.

Today's announcement marks the third RFJ reward offer seeking information on the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack.

The Department of State Rewards for Justice (RFJ) Program is offering a new reward for up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of any individual who was involved in planning or facilitating the 2008 Mumbai attack, a statement said

The US is committed to seeing that those responsible for this attack face justice, the State Department said in a release.

In April 2012, the Department of State announced reward offers for information that brings to justice LeT founder Hafiz Mohammad Saeed and Hafiz Abdul Rahman Makki, another senior LeT leader.

In December 2001, the Department of State designated LeT as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. This designation plays a critical role in the fight against terrorism and is an effective means of curtailing support for terrorist activities and pressuring groups to get out of the terrorism business, the State Department said.

In May 2005, the United Nations (UN) 1267 Sanctions Committee added LeT to the Consolidated UN Security Council Sanctions List.

The State Department said anyone with information on this incident can contact the RFJ office via the website, e-mail (info@rewardsforjustice.net), phone (800-877-3927 in North America), or mail (Rewards for Justice, Washington, D.C., 20520-0303, USA).

Individuals may also contact the Regional Security Officer at the nearest US embassy or consulate. "All information will be kept strictly confidential," it said.

The RFJ programme is administered by the US Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service. Since its inception in 1984, the program has paid over USD 150 million to more than 100 people who provided actionable information that helped bring terrorists to justice or prevented acts of international terrorism worldwide.

(with inputs from agencies)