Others are speculating that the fact that Kasab apparently speaks fluent English indicates he is probably from Pakistan’s relatively wealthy middle classes.

It is thought he may be what experts term a “high quality” militant – a well educated person, not from an Islamic seminary, who would be unlikely to be in serious financial trouble and vulnerable to bribes.

Experts also believe it is unlikely that a recruit who had been coerced would be sent on an attack of the scale of Mumbai.