The trial of the lone surviving Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack in which 166 people were killed concluded today almost a year after it commenced in a special court which will pronounce its verdict on May 3.

In one of the fastest terror trials in history, Special judge M L Tahaliyani reserved his judgement to May 3 after the prosecution and defence counsels wrapped up their final arguments in his court in the high security Arthur Road jail.

Significantly, agents of US investigative agency FBI also deposed in the trial that began on May 8, 2009. The trial itself saw several dramatic twists and turns in which 22-year- old Kasab initially pleaded not guilty and then made a confession about his involvement only to retract to say he has been framed by police.

Kasab faces death penalty if convicted on scores of charges including waging war against India and murder during the 60-hour reign of terror which targeted luxury hotels--the Taj and the Oberoi; a tourist restaurant--Leopold Cafe; the city's main railway station--CST terminal and a Jewish centre--Nariman House.

Two Indians- Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed--also faced the trial after they were charged with taking part in the conspiracy by drawing maps of targets and sending them to Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

The prosecution examined as many as 653 witnesses including several eye-witnesses to prove their case that LeT carried out the dastardly attacks by sending 10 'jehadi' terrorists from Karachi.

Special Prosecutor Ujwal Nikam highlighted how the carnage that began on the night of November 26, 2008 was a case of state-sponsored terrorism in which Pakistan was involved.

"While opening my argument, I had said it was a classic case of state-sponsored terrorism in which the apparatus of the Pakistani army was involved, a fact that was established when David Headley admitted it before a Chicago court days later," Nikam said.

He said the prosecution had presented "concrete and cogent evidence" to the court in order to establish the charge against the accused.

"FBI agents and experts came and deposed before the court on the basis of which we were able to prove that the terrorists had come from Karachi. The terrorists tried to destroy the GPS data which we retrieved with FBI help,".

If the accused are pronounced guilty on May 3, the court would on that day call upon the prosecution and defence lawyers to put forth their arguments on quantum of sentence.

"I am happy that trial has come to an end. We have highlighted all aspects of conspiracy. This is the first terror trial case in India which has been completed in shortest possible time," Nikam said.

Kasab's counsel K P Pawar, who argued for three days, said he has tried to prove through evidence that the CCTV footage and the photograph showing Kasab has been fabricated by the prosecution.