Scouted out Mumbai for attack

Chicago :  A Chicago man admitted on Thursday that he scouted out the Indian city of Mumbai for a 2008 terrorist attack that left 166 people dead and plotted an attack on a Danish newspaper over cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

David Coleman Headley, a 49-year-old American citizen, pleaded guilty in US District Court to all 12 counts he faced. Under a deal with prosecutors, Headley will not face execution if he continues to cooperate with their terrorism investigation.

He could face up to life in prison and a $3 million (Dh11 million) fine when he's sentenced. A date has not been set.

His attorney, Robert Seeder, said after the hearing that Headley's decision to talk was "a manifestation and example of his regret and remorse", and wasn't based solely on the fact that he will avoid a possible death sentence.

Surveillance

"He has provided significant help to the United States and aided other countries," said Seeder. He declined to specify what help Headley had provided.

In his plea agreement, Headley admitted that he made surveillance videos and conducted other intelligence gathering for the November 2008 attack on Mumbai. Nine of the 10 gunmen were also killed in the three-day siege.

The US and India say the gunmen were trained and directed by the Pakistani-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Retired Pakistani military man Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed and Pakistan-based terrorist leader, Ilyas Kashmiri are also accused in the plot against the Danish newspaper.