Mumbai terrorists: who, where and why?

Now that the terrorist assault in Mumbai appears to be over, the post-mortems will begin in earnest. People will be figuring out who the terrorists were, where they came from, and why they attacked.

So far, the fingers are pointing at two Kashmiri terrorist groups (Jaish-e-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba) and an Indian militant group (Indian Mujahedeen), with links perhaps to al-Qaida and elements within the Pakistan government.

Jason Burke:

"Both groups [Jaish-e-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba] have their roots in the conflict over the disputed Himalayan state of Kashmir. Developing out of irregular militias to fight Indian security forces in the Indian-administered parts of Kashmir in the early 1990s with the encouragement and support of Pakistani intelligence services, the groups' fighters have been blamed by the Indian government for a catalogue of atrocities."

Rory Medcalf (The Interpreter):

"Perhaps some attackers were Indian nationals, as the early claim of responsibility by a supposedly homegrown militant group would suggest. They knew Mumbai well. But their seaborne arrival, their languages and vocabulary, and a reported confession all suggest the operation was launched from abroad, perhaps Karachi....

In short, the view that this was al Qaeda’s first direct strike on India must be taken seriously. The theory that this was a toxic new partnership of al Qaeda, the Pakistani-based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LET) and Indian jihadists makes frightening sense."

Paul Cruickshank:

"If capability and track record are anything to go by, it is likely that the attack was either carried out by Indian Mujahedeen, an indigenous Indian militant group or a Kashmiri militant group with ties to al-Qaida such as Lashkar e Toiba, or some combination of the two....At the very least this seems, therefore, to have been an "al-Qaeda inspired" attack." 

Comments

[Sven Ortmann]

"The World Health Organization has stated that tobacco is set to kill a billion people this century."

Let's not waste our limited attention on terrorists.

[Kotare]

Sven, you're just no fun!

It's a fair point you make. But people who smoke do have a choice in the matter.

[Quentin]

The Waikato Times on Saturday had an excellent graphic layout of the attck points starting from the harbor fanning out towards the Taj marhul hotel (spelling) It appears that there were perhaps 5 groups of five with a reserve of two men behind each (?) making a seven man assault approach. This plan of attack reminds me of an SAS approach with one difference- thery had no exit strategy and appears that they did not intend to. The advanced planning of this attack is a startling new development using old methods.

I also reckon they intended maximum fear to be put on the Indians as the primary goal while targetting foreigners as to put off investors. I think They haven't reached that goal because of the resilence of the Indians and foreign investors are not likely to listen to fear.

[J.]

I don't understand the alleged ties to al Qaeda. My understanding was that al Qaeda was looking west, not east. I would suspect Taliban safe havens, but not necessarily training/logistics support. But who knows.

[Kotare]

I suspect that al-Qaida were more of an influence, rather than providing formal assistance.

[Yours Truly]

Sven : Cigars any healthier? Going to make a switch if so.

Kotare : I seriously doubt any al - Qaeda involvement in the recent bloodletting.