New Delhi: The terrorists who attacked Mumbai on November 26, killing 217 people, also stole credit cards, money and mobile telephones from their victims, Mumbai's top police officer said on Monday.
The stolen goods and currency included thousands of rupees and dollars found on the bodies of the nine terrorists killed by police during the three-day siege in Mumbai.
A 10th gunman – Mohammad Ajmal Kasab – survived and was captured by police.
"We have no idea what they were planning to do with the money and cards, but it just speaks a lot more about their evil nature and the fact that criminals love stealing money and cards," Mumbai Police Commissioner Hasan Gafoor said.
India claims the banned Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Toiba for the attacks and called on Islamabad to do more to stamp out groups that operate from its soil.
The terrorists took scores of guests hostage and battled commandos inside two luxury Mumbai hotels.
"They took quite a few credit cards and a lot of money," Gafoor said by telephone. "Since they are all dead, we can only presume that they liked the more colourful (credit cards) and took them," he said.
Kasab was captured before reaching either of the hotels. The gunmen also took mobile phones from hostages.
Some of them then used the phones to call an Indian television channel and to speak with their bosses in Pakistan, police said.
Security experts said the terrorists had criminal backgrounds. "They all belong to ordinary families and they were out of there early to make quick money until they got indoctrinated into jihadi activities," said security expert Major General Ashok Mehta.
They also set off bombs inside the two hotels, causing significant damage.
The 105-year-old Taj Mahal hotel will reopen this week, its owner has said. The hotel has set up a welfare trust for victims.
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