An Indian court has begun the trial of the man accused of being the
lone surviving gunman from November's terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
Mohammed Ajmal Kasab asked the court Monday for a lawyer, and he agreed
to accept a government-appointed advocate. He also confirmed that he
was a resident of Faridkot in Pakistan's Punjab province.
Kasab went before a judge via video link from his cell in a Mumbai jail. The judge has yet to announce the next hearing date.
The suspect has been charged with "waging war" against India in
connection with the three-day assault that left about 170 people dead,
including attackers.
A public prosecutor (Ujjwal Nikam) says Kasab smiled when the judge asked if he understood the charges against him.
Prosecutors say Kasab was one of 10 gunmen who carried out the attacks.
India has accused Kasab of having links to a Pakistan-based militant
group. New Delhi also has suggested elements of Pakistan's intelligence
service may have been involved in the attacks.
Pakistan admits the siege was partly planned inside the country, but it denies government agents were involved.
Two Indians accused of providing logistical support to the gunmen also went before the court Monday via video conference.