Who attacked India, and why?
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/11/28/india.attacks/art.chabad.1835.ap.jpg
caption="A commando during the operation at the Jewish center."]
Program note: See Peter Bergen's full report during special CNN coverage of the Mumbai attacks, tonight, 7-9p ET.
Peter Bergen
CNN National Security Analyst
It was an al Qaeda-influenced attack with western targets, British targets, American targets, Jewish targets, multiple coordinated attacks. In terms of who could have done this, according to U.S. counterterrorism officials that I've been speaking with recently, they don't think that this could be just simply a local indigenous group.
We have seen numerous terrorist attacks in India, of course, and in Bombay. But some of the attacks in Bombay - one of the counterterrorism officials I talked to pointed to the '93 attack in Bombay which killed 250 people, multiple attacks, was coordinated according to the U.S. government by a guy called Daoud Ebraham (ph). Now Daoud Ebraham (ph) is an Indian gangster with strong links to Pakistan.
He's believed to be living in Karachi right now, Karachi, Pakistan, the large port city where it is possible that the ship came from that delivered the terrorists, so that's one angle I'm sure investigators are going to be looking at. A significant Kashmir militant group conducted a similar operation to what we've seen in Bombay against the Indian Parliament back in December of 2001 where numerous gunmen was sent into the Parliament on a de facto suicide mission, shot up the Parliament. It nearly brought India and Pakistan to war in 2002, perhaps the intent again with these recent attacks to kind of inflame tensions between these two long-time rivals.
There's a lot of tension between Pakistan and India. They fought three major wars and one smaller war since 1947. And they nearly came to a nuclear exchange in 2002. So the fact that they are sharing this intelligence at the high levels is a good thing. However, Indian popular opinion is going to be very much inflamed if indeed this links back to Pakistani terrorist groups.
The Indian government has in the past proven quite responsible and mature in its responses to terrorist attacks that may have some Pakistani links. And we can only hope that's the case in the future. However, Indian politicians have to respond to their public, so going forward, as the investigation goes forward, if there are links back to Pakistan, the Indian population may demand some kind of further action than is being taken right now.
This attack could have been designed to derail the improving relationship between India and Pakistan. I mean the last several years' confidence-building measures between the two countries have included bus services, flights resuming, cricket matches, small things, but the sorts of things that would have been almost impossible to think of five years ago when relations between these two countries were really at their worst. So if these attacks are designed to inflame relations and they may well succeed, unfortunately.
One of President-elect Obama's advisers is a man called Bruce Riddell (ph), who's an expert on South Asia and al Qaeda. He has been advocating greater attempts by the United States to solve the Kashmir issue, so that's some advice the President-elect Obama is probably hearing. Also, if indeed Hillary Clinton is secretary of state, this is a part of the world that she knows very well.
She has been interested in perhaps appointing a special envoy to try and solve that dispute. This is something that she's been thinking about for a couple of years. Obviously that's something that she would have to discuss with President-elect Obama, so I would anticipate the new administration putting a great deal more diplomatic efforts to solve this long-festering dispute between these two countries.
The fact that we've been covering this event for more than 48 hours now rather than just having that brief news hit on suicide attackers, that they are taking hostages, we saw that going back to the Munich Olympics in 1972. If you can prolong the news coverage, obviously you prolong the news attention.
But one very strange thing about these hostage-takings is that they haven't issued any demands. We don't know what these people want. I mean usually when you take hostages, you make some demands. These people have made no demands at all, so all we can do is speculate about what the political issues are that they're interested in highlighting.
On Twitter
As an Indian living in India, i feel very frustrated that International community has always tied India's hand from taking action in the past and always under-estimated the facts emerging from the many attacks.
– The recent attacks in India (including those by Indian Mujahedeen) did not have any relation to Kashmir. This is simply a spill over from the International terrorism that is using islam as an excuse. If the international communitity is blind to this fact...then god help us.
– International community never stood by India when the Indian airlines was hijacked from NEpal to Afghan. This resulted in the "release" of a terrorist from Indian Jail, who was latter a key member of 9/11 planning group.
– Key members of Indian mafia like Dawood Ibrahim who killed so many people in India are living currently in Pakisthan...but they also lived a lavish life in Gulf, even when they were high on the wanted list of India.
– Pakisthan is asking for "proof", even when one of thier national was produced in an Indian court and whose action was available to the entier world as photos.
In the best interest of all the nation, i think the International community should try to understand the real reason and take action.
There is only one solution to get rid of terrorist, all countries get together and eliminate them. They have no purpose they do not want to prove anything they are the parasites and they would just suck blood of anyone who they can lay there hands on.
I agree with Heidi, Hillary Clinton as Sec of State will do this area of a world of good. It's good to know that she's been thinking about it for a couple of years, and just the idea that India and Pakistan will get help working out the Kashmir dispute is good news. Her familiarity with that region will only be a plus. I also agree the question is how they will go forward now. Thank you Peter Bergen for this very thoughtful article and perspective of the situation.
Indian government officials once again started blaming Pakistan's involvement right when this crisis started. They still have not investigtaed enough to lash out at Pakistan. There could be several possibilities but one that is not is that Pakistani agencies were involved. ISI is one of the top intelligence agencies in the world. If ISI did it, they would have done it with a lot more sophistication and finesse. They would not have left stupid clues like SIM cards or phone calls.
The terrorists held hostages but never demanded anything may indicate that it was a cover up to divert attention for inside problems brewing in India. They used cell phones with sim cards from different locations including Karachi. Anyone can buy a sim card from Dubai Pakistan or India and make phone calls anywhere.
For past few months there have been many incidents in which Christians and Dalit Hindus have been targeted in several regions of India particularly in Maharstra where Mumbai is located and that was just coming into limelight. RSS and BJP both fundamentalist Hindu parties are adamant on keeping Maharastra as their home ground; the top cops, such as Karkare, that were killed were the ones that were investigating these Hindu fundamentalist groups.
Obama administration's take on South Asian region has also caused a panic especially in India as Obama administration wants to work on resolving Kashmir issue and it is definitely not in India's interest as Kashmiris do not want to be a part of India either.
The easiest scapegoat for all this than has to be Pakistan and India is making full use of it at the moment despite Pakistan's offer for help and cooperation.
Indian Response
Now that the targets have been secured and terrorists either killed or captured, the question is how does India respond?
If Pakistan is involved as being suggested by India, why not bring it out in the open? I am surprised to note that Pakistan;s authorities keep denying their involvement and Indian authorities keep silent.
Why link Kashmir tensions with Mumbai terror attack? These are unconnected issues for now.
I believe the jury is out in the open and if Pakistan is really not involved then they should have no issues with fighting the militants together with India. Both countries know where these guys are operating from.
Hopefully India and Pakistan unite and really fight this to the end.
Prakash Kolluri
It is disappointing to note that CNN coverage has been lop sided and does not paint a fair picture. While everyone highlights that there have been 3 wars between India and Pakistan, your channel fails to mention that all of these attacks were initiated by Pakistan. The Kargil war started right after the then Indian PM Atal Bhari Vajpayee went to Lahore, Pakistan for a peace rally. In return Pakistan attacked India immediately . The internaltional community continues to ignore these facts. India;s tolerance is unfortunately misunderstood as its weakness. Its has been cited in several news sources in India that the ship that bought these terrosits to India originated from Pakistan, why is this never mentioned in the CNN news coverages? Also, it has been found that the terrorists had planned to blow up the Taj and had bombs planted throughout the hotel. These were diffused by the Indian commandoes. Why is this not shown?
Getting the terrosits out is in US's interets as much as it for India because these people are enemies of the world. Please get your facts rights even if it applies to your ally Pakistan.
My heart goes ot to those who those who lost their lives and their families. The world has changed forever.. Its time India and the world act and destory these negative forces from the roots. But for this to happen we have to open our eyes and be ready to attack areas which breed terror. I also want to salute the NSG commmandos ,ATS as well as the hotel staff who risked their lives for others.
Ironically, Dawood Ibrahim's father was an Indian policeman. The son took to organized crime- extortion, drugs, hired assassination and so on, and became one of India's leading underworld "dons". He was implicated in the 1993 serial bomb blasts that shattered Bombay and left the country. He lived in Dubai for some years, before moving to Karachi in Pakistan some years ago. India has long maintained that if Pakistan is serious about its statements on not supporting cross-border terrorism, it must extradite Dawood. But that has not happened so far.
And as far as this latest terror attack is concerned, reports coming in (from the interrogation of a couple of terrorists who were captured alive) suggest that the objective was to raze the Taj Mahal hotel (one of the more visible symbols of India's history and modern economic vibrancy) and kill 5000 people. And as always, the underlying goal was to create mass fear in the country, in turn slowing down further the country's development by forcing resources to be deployed for rebuilding, anti-terror monitoring etc. Another report indicates that Dawood Ibrahim may have had a role to play in the recent attack as well.
The Prime Minister of India, should come out and make a statement reassuring India’s citizens and the world what action will be taken after this bloody Mumbai massacre. In the history of mankind, groups/countries at war never shoot at innocent people who are going about their day to day life. This kind of massacre of innocent civilians is absurd and maniacal. Absolutely no reasoning can be given to this kind of behaviour. These radical forces have to be stopped for the progress of mankind. The Prime Minister should reassure the entire world what action will be taken and take immediate measures to put a stop to this extremely unfortunate and disturbing event.
The terrorists are young and dumb, they are teenagers and young adults that have been brainwashed to believe their actions are true and good. These punks are trained to kill anyone, innocent bystanders and some very spiritual people regardless of who their god(s) is/are. The specific locations are targeted to cause friction between countries, between governments, between religions and between political powers; interestingly, some of those people that were killed left powerful messages, more powerful messages than the fear of being shot while dining or having a drink in the lobby bar.
This is an islamic war which is being fought worldwide. we have to be very careful and hunt down these people who only know the language of violence. what they want we dont know but whatever we have heard are all absurd things. The world needs to unite and fight terror. it has to be fought in the language which these bastard understand.
Terrorists have once again created a plan and carried out an attack on innocent people. Our country has been on the offensive since we were attacked on 9-11-01. I firmly believe that we need to continue to take the fight to the people that mean to do us harm. People can say what they want about President Bush, he did the right thing by this country and people better get that straight. I have absolutely no feelings of sympathy towards any terrorist whatsoever. They need to be hunted down and killed. Obama better do the right thing while in office for this country or a lot of people are going to get killed. I cannot stand the liberal position of spreading kindness out to murderers! Obama better stand by India. He is out of his mind if he does not!
Louise:
"It is not democracy that they hate. It is the policies of the United States. "
So because they hate our policies, the attacked India? Please.
Earle:
"Maybe,they just don’t like the ,”Capialist System”,what we call Democracy."
I doubt these terrorists give a hoot about how much money you make, the only thing that matters is if you are muslim or not.
@Louise
This was an attack against India. Not the United States. That American citizens were targetted might have been a part of the design, but it by no means was the reason.
Louise said: "It is not democracy that they hate. It is the policies of the United States. Clearly Amercians cannot see this. It will continue to happen until there is a change in US policy. Wake up"
Absolutely CORRECT Louise ! That time worn simplistic and dead wrong phrase of G W Bush and company should be buried with the demise of teh Bush administration. These terrorists are NOT JEALOUS of us they are DIGUSTED with American foreign policy carried out in such indescriminate and heavy handed ways by this administration. They are demeaned and humiliated to the point where no sacrifice including giving their lives and the lives of innocents is to great to call attention to their cause.
As I said in another post I am convinced The world will be safe again but IT WILL SIMPLY NOT be accomplished with the ‘volunteer’ US Military patrolling every street corner. Keep in mind that The US. Military in time may become as big a threat to democracy as the terrorists themselves if this trend were to continue. Remember we no longer have a citizen Army. These folks are transforming into nothing more than PAID MERCENARIES. It’s the intelligence community that will ultimately save us and the human race make no mistake about it and a drafted citizen Army that will ultimately keep the over all peace.
"But one very strange thing about these hostage-takings is that they haven’t issued any demands"
that is the question.
Maybe al qaida is not responsible whenever there are such attacks.
The point is, who is the piper?
These terrorist were young and in their twenties ? What's causing the hate and their violence at that age and who's in charge of the poison of their minds and getting these young people involved in such horrible acts ? How can that be changed ? They seemed trained as soliders and with a mission to kill on behalf of their cause of association but what is the association and why ? Not sure they were into demands or was that their intention. Could it have been more, for what and who they represent and their cause ? How will the next administration go about stopping the terrorism ? They reported finding hostages dead and think they said 38 found. Was the intention to take hostages for demands ? If so,they could have.What proceedures will India reinforce for security efforts toward peaceful solutions ? God Bless America !
would mumbai be next london??
what britain has? india's to be alert and adopt a suspicious outlook to twart any more of such incidents. and the way is how....
cctv – close circuit video monitoring. we in britain have over a million cameras all over, pointing at the road junctions, people in the busy streets, traffic lights which are closely monitired from the hub/ one in each major city. people are watched for their body language, behaviour and if anything unsusal they are closely spied on. it's impossible to know. their phones getting tapped, they are followed to their place of work, people around them are questioned, so many things so anythng major like the bomb blasts in delhi/mumbai could be known before hand or any such future attacks thwarted.
people in suspicion are always checked on by anyway possible and it's not illegal to invade someones privacy for country's security as a whole.
people buying chemicals however small and harmless even placed under this category nevertheless hospitals and surgeries, factories even they have liences, thefts of chemicals/anything lethal/or put to endangering lives/anythng that arises suspicion are closely monitored. there's a cctv, more like 10's of them in one street? does installing them once and for good costs more than even one life lost in terrorist attack. the miscreants should be brought to justice (in US its death penalty after trial and to all those invloved, so low lives think twice) and cult like islam must be moderated.
i dont understand again difference between a moderate and extremist muslim. if an extremist is about to chop my head off i think the moderate is just happy to watch. a shame.
patriotism and allegiance from 140 million muslims in india can never bring the culturally rich, tolerant and strong nation like theirs down so where's the flaw? india is multireligious muliethinic and every religion has always enjoyed its freedom and liberty but not at the cost of taking p*ss or it wouldnt have been a safe heaven for for all those who do.
bombings? meek and weak way of killing innocent people. how when something like this happens in UK or USA the whole country as such goes under red alert and the incident remains in the memories of people/govt./MI5/FBI for next 10 years and anniveraries are mourned every year. what happens in India? them kind incidents happen every single month yet month next and month after nothing changes?
INDIA is not weak. the country moved from rags to 7th world major power in just 50 years has a lot of potential but justice should be stringent and laws harder with no loopholes for miscreants to getout of at all. we are not foolish, or are we proving to be the ones? it's time to wake up, get concerned because it's our country and our lives could be next at stake.
l maini
london, UK.
Hello, inthe wake of terror bombings in mumbai, the financial capital of india; the security forcs did a great job, laid their lives on the line and saved most of the hostages. terror has no face and no faith just destruction, distraction, apathy and agony are its main motives. what did the millitants try to prove?”
Thanks so much for your input.
I think and feel strongly that Indian media and the representatives of the state should make more responsible statements and handle this situation in an adult like manner. Making hasty statements from the minimal evidence available is a very immature way to handle the situation. Blaming Pakistan or holding them responsible at this stage at least reveals a very poor image of persons at responsible positions. The words being used too needs to be carefully selected.
This situation clearly brings out the lack of competence and capability of the Indian naval forces and intelligence. Why are these things not being highlighted as the name of Pakistan is. I think India is behaving very childish.
These terrorists may be Indian or Pakistani, Islamic or Hindu fundamentalists yet the name of the country should not be linked to them in this manner as the image of any country does not simply depend on 9 or 10 terrorists.
India has been target of such terrorist acts long before 9/11 and it should be apparent to the world as to 'where' these terrorists are originated.
The world needs to give an ultimatum to the country, yes country not countries responsible for harboring such inhumane individuals.
Increasing security only is not an effective solution; we need to amputate terrorism from its roots, i.e. exterminate all the individuals influencing people to carry out acts of terrorism.
This has truely been a senseless,disturbing,hurtful time for India.
My heartfelt condolences go out to all.
Anderson, how can we help?
I am truly sad because of the ugly events in Bombay. My heart goes out with the people of India. Every life lost was equally precious though some are being echoed more than others.
Peter, you were right that some elements of Pakistan were involved. I was reading an Indian newspaper, Times of India and the reading is very much in line: "http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Arrested_terrorist_says_gang_hoped_to_get_away/articleshow/3771598.cms".
I think, US should insist that money flow of this operation, political supporters, and internal infiltration into police as well as hotels be investigated and made public. You will be surprised at the levels of involvement of all these.
// It was an Al Qaeda-influenced attack with western targets, British targets, American targets, Jewish targets, multiple coordinated attacks. //
Their only target was to hurt India. Saying that the attack was on westerners is forgetting the sacrifices of Indian security forces and its civilians.
Here we go again Peter Bergen, will ever be western median mature in the reporting? For you and many others like you, any event that happens anywhere in world always is targeted towards western countries only? How irresponsible for you, a security analyst, to report with opening remarks which does not even say anything about the countrymen who are killed on largest number? No offense, but how many Americans and Britons are killed vs. Indian? Should't your report say the attacks were targeted towards Indian pride locations? This angle of western life is precious and all others don't qualify is a pity. Be responsible in what you write and communicate. If you want to exchange further on this, you can email me and I would be more than happy to expand your though process and help clarify narrow field of vision of world.
Western discussions /viewpoints on recent terrorist activities in India seems to dismiss these events as typical of India-Pakistan skirmishes. The question noone seems to reflect on is – what is the genesis of this enemity?
Pakistan was formed out of esrtwhile India only 50 odd years back when some ISLAMIC fundamentalist leaders like Mohammed Ali Jinnah started to demand a separate nation for Islam. So while not one but two nations were formed that were exclusively muslim, India with a majority of peace loving Hindus and (dialects of Hindusim such as Budhdhists and Jains, Sikhs – all non violent , often vegetarian) continued to be secular – and today hosts close to 150 Indian muslims. It is a free vibrant diverse liberal democracy.
There seems to be a wrong insinuation in certain discussions on the Mumbai terror incident that somehow India is responsible for the disgruntled 150 million muslims in the country who have been’left behind”. The fact is that poor hapless India has suffered islamic fundamentalism for the past 1000 years ever since its first violent tryst with the Islamic invaders/plunderers like Mahmud Ghazni and Muhammmad Ghori.
Recently, only 50 plus years ago, India gave up one third territory in the name of a separate nation for Islam – not one but two countries were borne out of Indian territory – Pakistan & Bangaldesh neither of which have any significant minorities, both of which are ISLAMIC nations – India gracefully continued to be secular in spirit and law – there is absolutely no discrimination in MODERN INDIA which is a vibrant real secular democracy – if indeed mulsims have been left behind it is because 50% of their population i.e. muslim women are treated like cattle by their own Islamic shariat laws and also because they are reluctant to embrace/ adopt modern education, form nuclear families, move to cities/hostels to study or take jobs, away from their families.
How much more is India expected to do for ISLAM/MUSLIMS?????
Should the entire subcontinent be turned over to Muslims and should we all have to convert to Shariat Law for them to be satisfied?
Regardless of whether this is an act by international muslim outfits like Al Qaeda, ISI, Laskar-i Toiba or an internal extremist group like the Deccan mujahadden, it is at its root – one and the same – islamic fundamentalism – the heinous tendency to take to arms, kill innocents and indulge in violent crimes with a gleeful attitude all in the name of Allah!!!!
The world needs to rceognize this and stand by the India state and govt in its internal and extrenla struggles with Islamic terror.
Well, India survied the invasion of many kings in the past and survived, but the question is not about survival. The world has to realise that if they are not together in the fight against terrrorism then one day they become the subjects!
It is beyond doubt that Pakistan has been a breeding ground for all such terrorist acts, I wonder what is the connection , is there something wrong of their eating and breeding habits? I feel bad to people of Pakistan, how miserable their lives will be in their own country!!!
Some interesting details on the murderes
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Arrested_terrorist_says_gang_hoped_to_get_away/articleshow/msid-3771598,curpg-1.cms
Yes, this seems to be giving a wake-up call to the rest of the globe as to how to tackle such explosive encounters with terrorists, who explode onto a country without any warning. I think a government of any country should have a sense of paranoia in order to prepare for such crackpots unleashing their cowardly power in the pleasure they experience in taking away innocent lives. Everybody is focused on Iraq and Afghanistan. I think the world should focus on relatively peaceful countries and eliminate any such possibilities that could occur there. The Murphy's law could apply anywhere. Such madmen will be madmen. Their bullying strategies should be culled out and snipered on as effectively as possible. Their aim is to unsettle the globe as a whole and glorify their power of so called "empowerment"- as if to say "we got them again this time". Its just how Hitler felt that evil empowerment in mediating his terrible holocaust.
Pakistan is a volatile country and is NOT doing enough to stem this rot. At least the new government should concentrate on flushing out all the terrorist components within its borders and should not negotiate with terrorists at all, despite whatever wealth they might use to propagate terrorism. Pakistan should protect the tribal regions and give them full support in flushing out the Taliban. A country will not realize its true wealth till all these negative factors are taken out. Drug fields should be eradicated first and foremost -opium fields- are the major propelling catalysts funding terrorism.
The world should also take an additional interest in Africa and give more direction to a continent that is quite unsettled and has vulnerable resources for these evil-minded, pigheaded terrorists. These terrorists will use the poverty and drought conditions of Africa like bush meat, using innocence for their suicidal activities, and also taking to advantage some of the barbaric governments in Africa, where some of the countries by and large are just have puppet governments, ruled by ruthless militia.
The global goal is to root out this maniacal mania.
India has a lot of controvecies- if you look on wide side you will see a lot of people go there to find inspiration, meditate. one equates India with wisdom and the a lot of progressive movements on the other hand you see the injustice of the cast sytem where the untouchables, the Dalit are treated worse than the Animals. THat one alows you group of people to subject another to such terrible conditions.
Interesting mention about how the terrorists took hostages, but did not give clear demands...does seem unusual.
It is not democracy that they hate. It is the policies of the United States. Clearly Amercians cannot see this. It will continue to happen until there is a change in US policy. Wake up..
They are demanding, and getting, the world's attention, and so long as they hold hostages the world continues to focus on them. I have read several commentaries which believe that many of these groups feel threatened with the new Obama administration waiting on deck. Threatened because they do not want or seek the peace that Obama is trying to accomplish. He has credibility in many nations and these groups do not want peace.
Maybe,they just don't like the ,"Capialist System",what we call Democracy. There have been a great deal of millionaires,and billioinaires created this decade with-in India ,and there seems to be no give back to the poor indigenous majority. Perhaps,a lesson in philanthropy from,Bill Gates,Warren Buffett,and Ted Turner would help solve some of the problems? But with all these hate groups there's no rationale,or reason.....
Thanks for the insight Mr. Bergen. Always appreciate your objective approach. What will they do about this..that is the question. I do believe Senator Clinton will do worlds of good for that region as SoS. But, in the mean time I hope India will not be too proud to accept the intelligence resources offered them. Nice to read anything you write on here. Always interesting. Happy Holidays!
Here we go again...I do remember the Munich Olmpics in 1972, it was a scary time. As a child I didn' t understand why such things happened. Now I am a older woman I still don't understand why some many hate. Who ever or whatever these group of people want it"s not good. If it's Al Qaeda or Daoud Ebraham their not there to make peace.
I am so sad for those that have lost there lives in vain. These terrorist are cowered's and have no voice of there own.
We as a world need to band together and eliminate terrorist groups completely !
I don't understand why they still exist when there are more of us then them.
.we can not allow them to hide behind & pretend as though they have a religious group or people or organization that support or stand by there causes.
They are terrorist and they stand by them self's using the organized groups to make us believe they have larger then they are.
They are not.
We can eliminate them together world wide.
Muslims,Christians, Jews, buddhist and all the other world belief's together we as humans can say enough !