India: In the Reflection of the Mumbai Terror Attacks

Four Years After Mumbais 9/11, Are Things Safer?

In November of 2012, Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab was executed by the India government for his part in the November 26, 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai, India. Kasab was the only terrorist that was captured alive in the aftermath of that event. The attack involved ten armed men from the Pakistani group Lashkar-e-Taiba who arrived in Mumbai near the Gateway of India, divided into groups of two and began their sixty hours of terror throughout the city. The attackers focused on numerous locations including the Leopold Cafe (a popular spot for tourists), two luxury hotels (the Taj Palace Hotel and the Oberoi/Trident), an Orthodox Jewish center (Chabad House), a hospital for women and children and the CST Train Station. In the end, at least 166 people were dead, nearly 300 were wounded and the world was reminded once again, that safety is an illusion. Its been five months since Kasab was hanged for his crimes. Its been more than four years since the attack itself. So I sat down in Mumbai with Sameer Patil, fellow for national security studies at the Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations, to discussed how India is coping in the reflection of what many call Indias 9/11.

The location where the terrorists came ashore in Mumbai, near the Gateway of India

Whats different regarding Indias security now compared with four and half years ago? Because the terrorists approached from the sea, India has strengthened its maritime defense and police presence in all costal areas. In addition, the NIA (National Investigation Agency) was created directly after the Mumbai attacks. They are tasked with all things related to terrorism, Indian insurgents, counterfeit money being pumped into the country by Indias neighbors, Hindu radicalism and other security concerns. One of the targets of the terrorists was the Chabad House, a Jewish Center in Mumbai. Six people were killed there, including the Rabbi and his wife who ran the center. How has this affected the Jewish community? The Mumbai attacks as such did not impact the Jewish community

Armored police vehicle near the Gateway to India Monument: Mumbai, India

except for the fact that it has brought the Lashkar on the Israeli agencies radar for possible threats which target Israeli nationals and Jewish locations in India and elsewhere. This has led to increased security at some places like Chabad Houses, but not all. The attacks did not significantly reduce the number of Israeli tourists who come to India, and in fact some of them have been to the Kashmir region also, which in recent years has seen relative tranquility. The Jewish people have mingled very well with the local Indians here, some of them have picked up local customs and traditions too creating a more cosmopolitan atmosphere. Did the 2012 execution of captured terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Kasab provided closure for India?

His execution provided some closure for citizens, but not closure for the government. For the Indian government, there is still the problem that those who organized this terrorist attack, the leaders of Lashkar-e-Taiba, have not been brought to justice.

Chabad House Rebuilding is underway

Why do you believe that those who orchestrated the attack on Mumbai have not been brought to justice or pursued by Pakistani law enforcement? Lashkar-e-Taiba, as an organization, is deeply embedded into Pakistani society. It is an institution. After they were designated a terrorist organization, they simply changed the organizations name to Jamaat Ud Dawa. This complete integration into society makes it harder to arrest the leaders. Those that have been identified as the planners of the terrorist attack, Abu Qahafa, Sayed Zabiuddin (also known as Abu Jundal) and Sajeed Mir, are all still free. These terrorists continue to work in the open.

Leopold Cafe Early site of gunfire and explosions during terror attack.

Hafiz Saeed, the founder and spiritual leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba, personally indoctrinated the Mumbai attackers. He still openly makes anti-Indian speeches all over Pakistan. He now leads a group called DPC (Defense of Pakistan). Their agenda is very clear and simple. the DPC wants the following: 1. They want the US out of Afghanistan. 2. They want to bring the Taliban back. 3. They want to end the US-Pakistani alliance. 4. They want to rid the Indian subcontinent of Indias influence.

No organization, even one as deeply imbedded as Lashkar-e-Taiba, can be successful unless they can sell their philosophy and recruit agents to carry out their plans. From where is Lashkar-e-Taiba getting their recruits? Many people believe that terrorists are harvested from those who are poor, disenfranchised and who have no hope of a future. But according to a recent study released by the Combating Terrorism Center at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, this is not true. Terrorists are being recruited from the best and brightest of Pakistans society. Indeed, the report (which is based on materials that the group produces about itself) states that recruits for Lashkar-e-Taiba are well-educated, and include, relatives of a politician, a senior Amy officer and a director of Pakistans Atomic Energy Commission. Those who are recruited, the report says, join with the help of their families who view participation in Lashkar as nationalism or a sort of social service. (April 4, 2013, Ghosh, Jamal, Fair, Rassler and Shoeb. The Fighters of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Combating Terrorism Center Report.)

Taj Mahal Palace Hotel At least 31 people were killed here during the attacks

Conclusion The one thing that India seems to realize is that evil and danger do exist in this world. Governments not only give tacit approval, but sometimes are actively involved in the planning of these events. According to The Atlantic, The Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI) continues to protect the masterminds, according to Western and Indian counter-terror officials. (April 4, 2013 The Atlantic.) The one thing I didnt find when discussing the attacks in India, was bitterness and hatred. There was a certain academic detachment. Everyone knows theres a problem. Everyone knows that security needs to be increased and strategies must be developed to protect India and her citizens. Some are actively working on Indias global relationships. But there was no hate. Indians dont seem to be interested in advancing hatred towards Pakistanis or any other group. Thats a positive sign, because hatred is always at the core of what creates radicalism and motivates terrorism. Hatred binds people together and is mistaken for nationalism. And hatred makes the world unsafe. As David Bedein, journalist and founder of the Israel Resource News Agency, recently told me when he and I sat down in Jerusalem, when groups teach and tolerate hate, it produces hate education. And hate education eventually becomes war education. In the end, innocent people pay the price. Sameer Omar, said it well. Sameer is a local guide who lives in the Mumbai slums, and was an eye-witness to the attacks of November 2008. He was just 18 years old at the time and was standing at the Gateway of India, just across from the Taj Palace Hotel, one of the sites of the attacks. He recalls hearing the gunfire and the police shouting for people to run. He says, No one knew what was happening or why. And I just ran. Since then, everything is different. Nothing is safe.

Phil Johnson President and founder of Global Next Research Group and Leadership Institute www.globalnext.org www.globalnextegypt.org