Photosales
niJobfinder
niCarfinder
Home Delivery
Propertynews
Mumbai massacre: Terrorists used al Qaida blueprint
Thursday, 27 November 2008
More pictures
Terrorists behind co-ordinated attacks on a series of high-profile targets in India followed a "blueprint" created by al Qaida, one terrorism expert said today.
George Kassimeris, an expert in conflict and terrorism, said attacks on transport links, hotels and bars in Mumbai were "original" and "absolutely shocking".
He said the Islamic extremist group created the "modus operandi" of attacking vulnerable civilian targets with no warning, long-term plans or demands.
Witness accounts that gunmen were looking for US and British nationals suggest they want to grab international attention, he added.
Dr Kassimeris said: "Al Qaida set the blueprint for terrorist operations and now we see different people, different groups in different parts of the world, copying it.
"The underlying theme is to cause as much havoc as possible and this is exactly what has happened in India.
"There is no specific operational or logistical plan, they just want to inflict as much damage and injury as possible.
"The fact they have gone for western targets confirms initial fears these people are out to inflict as much damage as possible."
India has endured a series of terrorist attacks in recent years undertaken by disparate Islamic militants, many based in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
A relatively new extremist group known as Indian Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for several bomb attacks in Mumbai in the past 12 months.
Dr Kassimeris, a senior research fellow at the University of Wolverhampton, said those responsible were likely to be Islamic religious extremists.
He said: "It could be any one of them and it would be foolish to speculate so soon, but I am 99.9% sure there is a religious element to this."
A message explaining the attacks will probably be published via email or on an extremist website in the near future, the academic said.
He said: "Do not forget the fact that they are attacking high-profile targets means they will get high-profile publicity.
"This is the underlying reason they went for this kind of targets instead of just setting off a bomb in a far-flung suburb of Mumbai.
Dr Kassimeris said the terrorists might have chosen to use guns and grenades because some bomb plots have failed.
He said: "You need expertise to put bombs together. These people went for the straightforward style of terrorist activity. It is very easy and it works - unfortunately."
Another expert compared the attacks to the deadly bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on September 20.
Professor Richard Bonney, the author of Jihad: From Qu'ran To Bin Laden, said the difference was that in Mumbai there were co-ordinated attacks and Westerners were singled out as hostages.
He said: "This attack looks more dangerous and better planned, though not directed against possible government targets but economic ones and of course the 'Western allies'."
- Text Size
Also in this section
- Romney returns to winning ways
- 30m Iranians lose access to email
- Protesters show Syria solidarity
- Bank notes to bear Mandela's image
- Libya asks Niger for Gaddafi's son
@all believers of conspiracy theories: No the terrorists didnt come on speed boats all the way from Karachi, they travelled in a fishing trawler named ´kuber until a certain point. and there are enough evidences to prove ur imaginations wrong.
@criticizers wo never held a gun in their hands and are commenting on Police, then remember all the police had was bolt action rifles, and are helpless when automatic weapons are firing, next thing is police is usually not allowed to shoot without orders.
Posted by Irwin | 31.03.09, 11:26 GMT
According to Indian Govt. terrorist came from Karachi by Speed boat, the distance from Karachi to Mumbai is 500 nautical miles. I think terrorist deserve a credit to cross that much distance on speed boats whitouy the noticing of Indian Naval Force, where as the coast from end of the disputed maritime Pakistan-Indian boundary is littered with coastal cities, ports, fishing zones, off shore oil installation, Fixed Indian Naval radars, aerial and ship based radars and an active blue water force. Afer reaching Mumbai, some of them went to TAJ Hotel and The Oberoi Hotel. On the map you can see their location. They are not close to each other. Not a single terrorist were hiding his face, in pictures they were carrying guns and explosives, NO ONE SAW them. They went to Hotels if they now each part of the Hotels. How stupid they were going on a suicide mission with carrying their ID cards, stuff to show who they are, making calls to friend and families so that they can get into trouble.
Posted by Noterrorism | 07.12.08, 08:17 GMT
One of the militants photographed, holding a gun is shown wearing
a Saffron coloured wristband used by militant Hindus. His features do not resemble those of Pakistanis. Furthermore the hotel staff has confirmed that these terrorists had taken alcohol & some Whisky bottles were found in the back packs of the terrorists. Do you really think a Jehadi will consume alcohol going on a mission knowing fully well that he was going to be killed.
Whoever has done this should be exposed, whether they are the faceless stateless terrorists or home grown ones playing a political game.
Posted by Sachibaat | 04.12.08, 01:53 GMT
Why we should not know how many of them landed on Indian soil?
On the first day I remember seeing breaking news as 5 terrorist dead 9 captured...
On thirdday on NDTV highlight was 5 terrorist killed 1 captured at TAJ
CM Maharastra said there could be 20 to 25 in a press conferance on second day...
R R Patil is saying 10 9 killed one captured....
When we will know correct figure?
Posted by Shrikant Barve | 02.12.08, 10:11 GMT
If we don't begin to stand up for what is "right" in our country (U.S.A.) and all over the world...we will be defeated by these terrorists. They have a passion, and they think they have a Divine Purpose...That's their distorted advantage. If we have no passion for God and what is right, we cannot survive. America wake up! Remember your roots, remember that "One Nation Under God" is what we were. Remember when we knew right from wrong and taught our children. Remember that the only way that evil can triumph is when good men do nothing..Like those policemen who stood by and didn't fire a shot! Our humanity is being stolen from us by movies, T.V. , distractions, and selfish indulgences. Open your Bible, read the Truth that will set you free...REad about the Wisdom of God...who promises blessings to those who honor His Law. As we set God outside...and permit the haters to remove the very roots of our lives...we are reaping what we are sowing. Stand up, and fight the good fight everyday.
Posted by Alicewondering | 02.12.08, 06:06 GMT
Wait Lisa! Wow! Are you afraid? Islamic Terrorism and fanaticism Lisa; so there's extremists in every religious group, which means they're the same as the Islamic terrorists that blindly slaughtered people? Did you read the article?
I don't see extremists from any other group carrying out this type of slaughter ALL OVER THE WORLD? ASK YOURSELF WHAT THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE TAUGHT? WHO AND WHERE ARE THESE PEOPLE TAUGHT THEIR HATRED? DO YOU WANT TO LIVE UNDER SHARIA LAW? AND DON'T GIVE ME OH YOU'RE A RACIST GARBAGE, THE MODERATE MUSLIMS ARE TARGETS AS WELL. READ UP ABOUT THE THREAT AND DON'T BE NAIVE ABOUT WHAT THEY SAY IN PUBLIC.
Posted by John Pynchon | 01.12.08, 03:07 GMT
Question...WHY? Is this caused by poverty, by the imperialism of the United States, retaliation for the death of 2000 muslim...what happened to this group of men that would cause them to commit these acts? The civilized mind would say there is nothing in this world that would justify these deaths, or the deaths in Bali Bombings, or the events of Sept 11th in the United States, or the Islamic Pirates off the coast of Somalia, or Decades worth of events all tied to "Islam" Dont be a fool. Connect the dots. Its a straight line. The line leads back to Islam.
Posted by WHY?????? Post 1 | 01.12.08, 01:24 GMT
Looking at the photo map of the town and noting the distances betwen the targets of the attackers, one is led to ask, "How could ten lads get from one place to another so quickly without transport of some kind?' Surely, there must have been some help by others who hid in the shadows, sympathizers who melted back into the crowd once they had done their helping tasks.
The performance of the armed police who hid out and refuused to fight back is a disgrace that India will have to live with for years to come.
India was simply not prepared to deal with this attack and reacted in a shameful way.
Scotty
Posted by Scotty | 30.11.08, 15:56 GMT
My comment is to Stuart who made the last post...Stuart we have seen exactly the same kind of incidents too many times. Mumbai has been hit with quite a few terrorist attacks ever since the Babri mosque was demolished by Hindu extremists (yah! there's such thing).
Everyone keeps blaming Islamic Fundamentalism!! we dont even know who these guys are or what their exact motives were...This could be the latest series of retaliation for the deaths of 2000 Muslims in the riots in Gujrat.
Posted by Lisa | 29.11.08, 16:02 GMT
I think its important to come to terms with the fact that we have seen nothing like the force that is behind this, ever. Islamic fundamentalism is a something we need to understand and face up to. We cannot go on thinking that its not an issue we need to deal with.
Posted by Stuart | 29.11.08, 02:35 GMT
Stuck in Mumbai and gun and grenade battles are raging on at the the Taj Hotel and Nariman House. The final assault by the Indian NSG will hopefully end the seige as soon as possible.
Posted by Paul | 28.11.08, 12:43 GMT
Is the stadium name in the top of the picture a joke?
Posted by Aaron | 28.11.08, 10:46 GMT
Excellent coverage and updated news. Thanks.
Posted by a. palani | 28.11.08, 05:26 GMT
definatley cashing in on my dual nationality here! Get me an irish passport.
Posted by michael | 27.11.08, 20:00 GMT
I am stuck in Mu bai at the moment, all routes out of the city by plane/train are not operating and the seige still goes on.
Posted by claire Co Down Co Down 72.30.79.99 | 27.11.08, 18:19 GMT
Will Gordon offer the same kind of vigorous response to the one he has already shown in Zimbabwe?
Posted by T J McClean | 27.11.08, 07:39 GMT
Think it's time to get an Irish Passport!!
Posted by Peter | 27.11.08, 05:59 GMT
The BBC help line number to the F.O. is not working and adding to the distress of relatives. For twenty five minutes after the number was broadcast it showed as number unobtainable and now we sit here waiting in a queue. Where can we find out what is going on?
Posted by Ann | 26.11.08, 23:46 GMT