"As per the agreement between the two countries, the commission will record statements of the four witnesses which will help them build a case against the perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks in Pakistan, " special public prosecutor in the 26/11 case Ujjwal Nikam told an Indian newspaper.
According to the newspaper, a 13-member team including six defence lawyers, two public prosecutors and five government officials arrived in Mumbai.
The commission is to examine the four witnesses of 26/11 in Mumbai. The chief investigating officer Ramesh Mahale, chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sawant Waghule, Dr Shailesh Mohite of Nair hospital and Dr Ganesh Nitukar medical officer of the Forensic Science Department at J. J. hospital. While Mahale interrogated the lone terrorist Ajmal Kasab, Magistrate Sawant recorded Kasab's statements during the initial stage and the two doctors did medical test of Kasab and prepared mortuary reports of several persons who died in the 26/11 attacks.
Initially it was believed that commission would be allowed to cross-examine witnesses but according to the sources in Mumbai police, the government of India has refused this.
The commission would now will be left with no option but to record the witness statements.
The commission from Pakistan comprises defence lawyers Khwaja Haris, Riyaz Akram Chaudhari, Fakhar Hayat, Raja Ullah- Khan and Issam bin- Haris.
It also comprises special public prosecutors Chaudhari Mohammad Azhar and Chaudhry Zulfikar and a government official Azad Khan.
Nikam was appointed to coordinate with the commission on behalf of the government of India and monitor the proceedings.