Mumbai gunman is executed in India

Mohammad Ajmal Kasab was executed at 7.30am local time. Credit: REUTERS/The Times of India

The sole surviving gunman from the 2008 attacks on Mumbai, India, has been hanged.

Mohammad Ajmal Kasab had a mercy plea rejected by Indian President Pranab Mukherjee just hours before he was executed.

The Home Ministry confirmed Kasab, who claimed he belonged to the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, was executed in Pune, near Mumbai.

It was the first time a capital sentence had been carried out in India since 2004.

On 26 November 2008, the 60-hour siege of Mumbai began with 10 gunmen attacking landmarks, luxury hotels and a Jewish centre in the Indian city.

The attacks claimed 166 lives.

A reporter talks on her phone as smoke is seen coming from Taj Hotel in Mumbai November 27, 2008. Credit: REUTERS/Arko Datta

Kasab and another gunman carried out an assault at the main railway station where 52 people were killed.

He was filmed carrying an AK-47 assault rifle and a knapsack on his back.

India accuses Pakistan-based militants of organising the attacks, saying Islamabad is failing to act against those behind the raids. Pakistan denies involvement and says it is prosecuting seven suspected militants for their role.