It will be several weeks if not months before the full story of massacre at Mumbai will be understood and public provided with accurate information. Some information will never be known unless those who funded, devised and planned the massacre are detected.
Every death and serious injury is upsetting to me and will devastating to their families and later I will list the information obtained to-date but the story which has upset me most is that of Alan Scherr, a former art professor and astrologer together with his thirteen year old daughter Naomi, who was part of a spiritual pilgrimage having a meal in the restaurant of the lobby of the Overoi Trident hotel with two other American and two Canadians who were all wounded, The father who is said to have been committed to make a positive difference in the world and devoted himself to the community he lived in was accompanying his daughter who was making the tour to learn about the roots of the Synchronity Foundation prior to making application to attend a boarding school.
I grieve at a distance for them and the others.
On Friday evening I wrote the following after reading a few reports but before researching previous attacks, and which is probably what many journalists and media interests did when the massacres began. It was only on Saturday morning that I looked back and was able place the latest atrocity in perspective.
The massacre will have cost substantial funds to organise and implement. Where did these come from? Those providing the money are guilty of mass murder
One or more persons devised and planned the massacre, Who are they? They are guilty of the mass murder of men and women of all ages and of children of all ages.
Here is what seems to have been their plan and its intentions from the available information:-
(Background note : To-date the acts of terrorism have involved explosions using trucks, container vehicles and cars, or human bombs with explosives strapped to bodies carried in rucksacks/backpacks maybe ordinary hand luggage, or in the instance of 9/11 using planes as explosive incendiary devices. An entire different approach was adopted on this mission which appears to have had several aims.(this is not accurate because I now know that in 1983 grenades were thrown).
First to kill and injure as many people as possible and to terrorise others.
Secondly to attack the resident population regardless of religion and as many visitors as possible concentrating on two international hotels and a favourite haunt for backpackers.
Thirdly to create and prolong world media attention because of the death of people and children from many countries..
And the horrible truth is that if I have guessed right then the mission was a triumph. This is a bitter pill for all those engaged in India, in Britain and the USA and elsewhere in anti terrorism but most of all it reflect badly on India Anti terrorism and given that this is an election year in India, the international media and the public should view critically any Indian attempts to cast the blame on Pakistan or Britain, especially in terms of the organisation and preparations.
It is legitimate to ask how did hey manage to do this? It is also tempting to point the finger at governments or government agencies because of the scale and nature of the massacre. (However arising from what happened in 1993 Black Friday) it is imperative for Britain and other international orientated teams to be allowed to investigate alongside the Indian government services to be able verify any claims and counter claims.
I suggest this would be a serious mistake, unless there is direct evidence because a fourth objective could be try and blame Pakistan or Pakistan agencies as having an involvement in order to set Muslims and non Muslims in India and Pakistan at each other’s throats as well as scaring off business people and tourists to India
Another objective could be to try and provoke the USA into taking some kind of retaliatory action before George Bush ceases to be President and saddle President Obama with worsening relations between the USA and Muslim countries before he comes into power, or any new President came into power, as the attack may have been organised long before the outcome of the election was known. Indeed it should not be assumed that it was planned for the end of November but the components were put in place in readiness to execute ay any point after readiness was reached.
Based on watching Spooks and recent films and thinking about he matter just for a new hours, and those involved may have spent years thinking about little else, it would be wrong to assume that all the people and all the weapons were brought together, trained or travelled together from one point..
It appears to have been established that the guns, ammunition and other supplies were brought in by sea from one or more vessels and landed ashore in small craft. Because you are able to prove the involvement of one or more vessel does not mean that others were not involved, especially to transport those terrorists who might have difficulty in coming in by train and plane. In fact the evidence of the boat or boats could be a plant to take attention away from what was the main way the, massacre was organised. (Again I wrote this before learning that the weapons had been brought in by sea with the help if Indian Custom’s Men and Indian Police)
I have tried to myself in the minds of the organisers. I would divide the massacre positions into components and minimise the number of individuals who were aware of the plan to no more than a couple, in the event of I or another being captured beforehand. I would arrange for one individual to organise the necessary funding and another to convert the funding into weapons and ammunitions, possibly more than one individual . If available I would more than one fund reach believing that it was for a bomb plot in different places, similar the weapons would be acquired in small quantities, kept in different places and only brought together at the last moment, if this is what happened.
Information would be obtained on the key targets and secondary targets and well as decoy target and such intelligence obtained separately with perhaps key people placed in establish, a waiter in such as the hotels as guests and or workers. The terrorists would be recruited internationally and prepared individual or in small groups of no more than two or three and not advised of the mission until the last moment and this would include those placed as sleepers in establishments acquiring intelligence. Communication as revealed in Body of lies will no longer use computers and cell phones but coded written messages or direct oral communication. I do not know how back room personnel there are working for every front line solder in today’s armies but I would be surprised if the nation was less than 10 for every 1 and therefore the same could apply with terrorist groups. (Again I wrote this before reading about the 1993 Black Friday Massacre)
One also has to remember the works of Machiavelli and the history of disinformation so that the finding of a body with a weapon will not necessarily mean that this individual was a terrorist and did not belong to someone who planted it and then played the tourist or hotel staff, especially if they had been a staff member or hotel guest beforehand and may have had opportunity to select and kill their victim beforehand. (This morning I understand there is one report that two of the terrorists were residents in one hotel but this does not mean that they were the actual terrorists) (The whole thing could have been created to look like a replica of 1993)
I can throw out these suggestions in a few minutes of logical and rational thinking what of those who spend their lives thinking out new ways to outwit national and counter terrorist groups?
What does amaze me is the ability to maintain discipline and secrecy on the part of the terrorists. My only relevant experience was those two years from late 1959 late 1961 when I was an activist in mass and minority movements concerned with the possession and potential use of weapons of mass destruction. The CND was a mass movement with objective which everyone could join and support, including the various communist and extreme left groups and the same applies to those who were in favour of the west unilaterally disarming but not Russian and its allies. The same applied to the minority direct action Committee which appeared to posses a clear approach on the use of Gandhian based non violent civil disobedience and direct action and which before the Holy Loch demonstration insisted that individuals gave up something to participate, a job, an education, their family life and apart from its full time organiser, did not want to see the development of persistent law breakers. Participants were expected to adhere to the non violent approach and to the policy oh accepting imprisonment as an individual gesture and act of defiance to establish the sincerity and importance of the action.
The Committee of 100 while it recruited Mike Randal from the Direct Action Committee never had the same integrity, and I resigned after catching out Ralph Scheonman who appeared to take over control with the blessing of Lord Russell, canvassing in a coffee bar where I was clearing tables for people to sign up for a mass demonstration even if they did not intend to take part. He wanted to be able to tell the meeting of the 100 that he had the commitments of the required 3000 or 4000 with had been able set as the minimum to participate working on the basis that that the authorities would not be able to cope which such a large number. When I wrote to Lord Russell to complain about this approach, his wife replied that my letter had upset the great man but he had full confidence in Mr Scheonman, so I resigned.
Although large numbers did participate with some effect this was such a disparate group that it became difficult to reach decisions on policy and tactics which commanded majority support. The only reason why I was invited to join the committee was because a number of those who formed the first 100 resigned when they realised the likelihood of prosecution as an organiser and then as a participant, although a number of the committee organising the successful mass demonstration did not participate in them. Meetings were memorable for their chaos and inability to reach a consensus and far from the situation improving when members of the Direct Action the Direct Action Committee and its supporters were recruited and the Committee of 100 joined in the Holy demonstration where I was the field officer for the final weeks in Scotland as well as the Marshall for the first part of the march leading to resigning when it was evident that the basic principles and safeguards had been abandoned in order to achieve numbers. While the communists and Enterists such as the Socialist Labour League tended to shy away from the direct action end because it involved the likelihood of prison, the direct action end was joined by anarchists and subversives, some who were educated clear thinkers, some espousing violence and other who did not, and individualists who were crackpots. As the organisations were not secret, with open membership, it was possible for intelligence services to participate as well using provocateurs. There were also media interests undercover and in the instance the Holy Loch march one was openly embedded in every sense of the term. The combination of people like me who was respected the role of governments and those functioned on be half of the state and disclosed all that I was doing and why together with those who were placed to find out such information meant that most if not all what we did was known in advance.
That despite all the technology and people on the ground of intelligence and security services from around the world listening, watching, tracking and analysing no one knew of the plans to commit the massacre is a reflection of the limitations of the state organisations, given they will also employed those who can think and analyse outside the boxes and of the sophistication and strength of those prepared to die for their cause.
Contrary to some commentators who are already calling for dialogue with the enemy and while this is desirable if there is a willingness to consider changing methods and operating within the structures of individual countries, this can never occur in the wake of such atrocities as to do so will signal the way ahead for others. Moreover this also assume that that those involved directing and funding terrorist activity are prepared to accept anything other than the surrender of every one to their beliefs and power.
I have been able to establish the following factual information to-day
15.50 GMT gun men opened first at the Chhatrapati Sivaji Railway station. At least two gunmen kill and injure indiscriminately
During the next 40 minutes at least four gun men opened fire within the Cama and Albless Hospital with two attackers killed and two said to have been captured
During this period other gunmen seize control of the Nariman House described as business and residential centre and with include the Jewish Ghabad Chbad Lubavitch outreach centre, It is not known when they killed the Rabbi and his children except for the youngest.
At the same time other gunmen attacked the Cafe Leopold opening fire on diners cause severe death and injury.
At the same time gun men entered the Overoi Leopold hotel where it is reported that up to 380 people are staying plus staff. Many have been killed and injured
It is known hat at least seven gun men entered the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel where up to 450 people are staying with staff
A previously unknown group called Deccan Mujahedeen claim responsibility. This appears to be an operational name for the massacre.
The following day attempts were made to kill the gunmen and release hostages and those barricaded in their rooms. That afternoon local time the Indian Prime Minister and the Pakistan President made TV addressed in which reference is made to the involvement of external forces and organisation
Operations to kill or capture gum men at the Jewish centre and the Trident hotel are concluded with mixed results. Fighting continues at the other hotel where 30 bodies are found in a hall, presumably hostages.
In addition gunmen open fire at the South Mumbai Police Headquarters; A hijacked police jeep shoots at customers at the Metro Movie Theatre and there is a car bomb blast at the Vile Pale suburb in north Mumbai. There is an explosion at the Mazagaon Docks with a boat with armaments seized. It is claimed that four of the terrorists have been captured alive.
Members of the European Parliament from, Poland, Spain, Germany and Britain known to be staying at the hotel, some were out to dinner while others remain in the hotel. The President of Madrid was in checking in and Indian Member of Parliament was in a restaurant, Four gun men were killed as they tried to flee in cars.
It is believe that at least 250 residents and staff were brought out of the Mahal Palace,
So far 96 people of Indian nationality have been killed with 5 from Israeli, 4 Australian, 3 German, 2 American, 2 French, 1 British, Canadian, Japanese, Italian and Singaporean 300 Indian nationals injured 25 other nationalities injured including seven British, including individuals from Oman China, Finland and Norway also a Filipino.
Saturday morning addition
So far this is not the greatest toll of death in this City which as mentioned yesterday is one of the great economic and social cities of the world.
Nor is the multi target attack new as the first attack in March 1993 some 15 years ago is reported to have killed 257 wounded over 700 and involved 13 bombs in places where there are people. In 2003 a single bomb in a bus killed 2. Then in 2003 there were four murderous attacks with a single bomb killing 10, bomb on bicycle killed one, bomb on bus killing 4 and then two bombs in very crowded places such a bazaar killed 50. On the 11 July seven bombs went off in trains killing 209.
The 1993 massacre merits close attention It is my under understanding that many more that the quoted figures may have died and were injured, The attack was made by Indian Muslims following on a massacre of several thousand Muslims of which there 115 million in India, the second largest concentration in the world. A feature of this raid was the landing of weapons in the city with the connivance of customs officials and a senior police involvement, and this included pelting a crowd with grenades. Building attacked included three hotels, the Indian Stick Exchange, a Bazaar, the Air India Building an airport and a theatre,
One family, the Memons, were found to have been involved in aspects of the funding, purchase of travel for participants to attend training camps, purchase of vehicles etc.
Ten people, described as Planters were convicted of planting explosives. It is significant that it was not until last year that the majority of these were sentenced to death, Six others were accused of various offences and were sentenced to death or life imprisonment. Two men wee accused of involvement in the sea landing and one found guilty. A senior customs man was prosecuted and convicted, although he proclaimed his invoiced until his death and his family press on to establish the truth. Four customs officials were convicted of being a part of the conspiracy. One ex police sub inspector was convicted of involvement and took bribes and four police constables were convicted to six years and fined. AQ famous actor and four of his friends were convicted of involvements.
A feature of the case is that the former Chief Minister of the region admitted he had deliberately misled the media into believing that a bomb had gone off in a Muslim area to prevent communal riots. A number of others were also involved including one man who was extradited from Dubai for his involvement meetings there involving men used to take the weapons and ammunitions and arranging arms training there.
No one has claimed responsibility for the last of the 2003 Bombings in which 50 people died but a Pakistan based group is thought to have been responsible.
In 2006, bombs were placed in pressure cookers in First class compartments and some set aside for women in seven commuter trains at roughly the same time with over 200 deaths and 700 injuries. Some three hundred suspects were rounded up and many are still in custody with only a handful formally arrested and later withdrew confessions saying they had been given under duress. Two organisation are said to have been responsible, One the Army of God originated in Afghanistan and I said to be based in Pakistan although an illegal organisation in that country, India and the USA, The other organisation, now banned was the Islamic Student Association now the Indian Muhajideen and believe responsible fro attacks in Delhi and Ahmadabad and elsewhere. Its President was a USA Professor and the focus the movement concerned the position of Palestine and the role of Yasser Arafat. It is thought the movement has strong connection with Al Qaeda.
Out of all this horror and carnage the involvement of experts from outside India is a positive development as is the offer of assistance from Pakistan. The deaths of so many from other countries, including those who had status and position in their own countries should unite even more than before in cooperation and common action.
I appreciate the sincerity of those who say that if the USA in particular stopped attacks which involved collateral damage it would reduce the ground for turning spiritually committed young people into seeing themselves as avenging angels. I also understand and have considerable sympathy for those who want enter into direct dialogue and every opportunity to do this should be undertaken if only to clarify the aims and the terrorists so that everyone cannot be any doubt that the only solution in some instances is for them to be stopped. And to force them to seriously embark on other means to attain their ends as long of course as those are ends we can live with and look our children in the eye.
Every death and serious injury is upsetting to me and will devastating to their families and later I will list the information obtained to-date but the story which has upset me most is that of Alan Scherr, a former art professor and astrologer together with his thirteen year old daughter Naomi, who was part of a spiritual pilgrimage having a meal in the restaurant of the lobby of the Overoi Trident hotel with two other American and two Canadians who were all wounded, The father who is said to have been committed to make a positive difference in the world and devoted himself to the community he lived in was accompanying his daughter who was making the tour to learn about the roots of the Synchronity Foundation prior to making application to attend a boarding school.
I grieve at a distance for them and the others.
On Friday evening I wrote the following after reading a few reports but before researching previous attacks, and which is probably what many journalists and media interests did when the massacres began. It was only on Saturday morning that I looked back and was able place the latest atrocity in perspective.
The massacre will have cost substantial funds to organise and implement. Where did these come from? Those providing the money are guilty of mass murder
One or more persons devised and planned the massacre, Who are they? They are guilty of the mass murder of men and women of all ages and of children of all ages.
Here is what seems to have been their plan and its intentions from the available information:-
(Background note : To-date the acts of terrorism have involved explosions using trucks, container vehicles and cars, or human bombs with explosives strapped to bodies carried in rucksacks/backpacks maybe ordinary hand luggage, or in the instance of 9/11 using planes as explosive incendiary devices. An entire different approach was adopted on this mission which appears to have had several aims.(this is not accurate because I now know that in 1983 grenades were thrown).
First to kill and injure as many people as possible and to terrorise others.
Secondly to attack the resident population regardless of religion and as many visitors as possible concentrating on two international hotels and a favourite haunt for backpackers.
Thirdly to create and prolong world media attention because of the death of people and children from many countries..
And the horrible truth is that if I have guessed right then the mission was a triumph. This is a bitter pill for all those engaged in India, in Britain and the USA and elsewhere in anti terrorism but most of all it reflect badly on India Anti terrorism and given that this is an election year in India, the international media and the public should view critically any Indian attempts to cast the blame on Pakistan or Britain, especially in terms of the organisation and preparations.
It is legitimate to ask how did hey manage to do this? It is also tempting to point the finger at governments or government agencies because of the scale and nature of the massacre. (However arising from what happened in 1993 Black Friday) it is imperative for Britain and other international orientated teams to be allowed to investigate alongside the Indian government services to be able verify any claims and counter claims.
I suggest this would be a serious mistake, unless there is direct evidence because a fourth objective could be try and blame Pakistan or Pakistan agencies as having an involvement in order to set Muslims and non Muslims in India and Pakistan at each other’s throats as well as scaring off business people and tourists to India
Another objective could be to try and provoke the USA into taking some kind of retaliatory action before George Bush ceases to be President and saddle President Obama with worsening relations between the USA and Muslim countries before he comes into power, or any new President came into power, as the attack may have been organised long before the outcome of the election was known. Indeed it should not be assumed that it was planned for the end of November but the components were put in place in readiness to execute ay any point after readiness was reached.
Based on watching Spooks and recent films and thinking about he matter just for a new hours, and those involved may have spent years thinking about little else, it would be wrong to assume that all the people and all the weapons were brought together, trained or travelled together from one point..
It appears to have been established that the guns, ammunition and other supplies were brought in by sea from one or more vessels and landed ashore in small craft. Because you are able to prove the involvement of one or more vessel does not mean that others were not involved, especially to transport those terrorists who might have difficulty in coming in by train and plane. In fact the evidence of the boat or boats could be a plant to take attention away from what was the main way the, massacre was organised. (Again I wrote this before learning that the weapons had been brought in by sea with the help if Indian Custom’s Men and Indian Police)
I have tried to myself in the minds of the organisers. I would divide the massacre positions into components and minimise the number of individuals who were aware of the plan to no more than a couple, in the event of I or another being captured beforehand. I would arrange for one individual to organise the necessary funding and another to convert the funding into weapons and ammunitions, possibly more than one individual . If available I would more than one fund reach believing that it was for a bomb plot in different places, similar the weapons would be acquired in small quantities, kept in different places and only brought together at the last moment, if this is what happened.
Information would be obtained on the key targets and secondary targets and well as decoy target and such intelligence obtained separately with perhaps key people placed in establish, a waiter in such as the hotels as guests and or workers. The terrorists would be recruited internationally and prepared individual or in small groups of no more than two or three and not advised of the mission until the last moment and this would include those placed as sleepers in establishments acquiring intelligence. Communication as revealed in Body of lies will no longer use computers and cell phones but coded written messages or direct oral communication. I do not know how back room personnel there are working for every front line solder in today’s armies but I would be surprised if the nation was less than 10 for every 1 and therefore the same could apply with terrorist groups. (Again I wrote this before reading about the 1993 Black Friday Massacre)
One also has to remember the works of Machiavelli and the history of disinformation so that the finding of a body with a weapon will not necessarily mean that this individual was a terrorist and did not belong to someone who planted it and then played the tourist or hotel staff, especially if they had been a staff member or hotel guest beforehand and may have had opportunity to select and kill their victim beforehand. (This morning I understand there is one report that two of the terrorists were residents in one hotel but this does not mean that they were the actual terrorists) (The whole thing could have been created to look like a replica of 1993)
I can throw out these suggestions in a few minutes of logical and rational thinking what of those who spend their lives thinking out new ways to outwit national and counter terrorist groups?
What does amaze me is the ability to maintain discipline and secrecy on the part of the terrorists. My only relevant experience was those two years from late 1959 late 1961 when I was an activist in mass and minority movements concerned with the possession and potential use of weapons of mass destruction. The CND was a mass movement with objective which everyone could join and support, including the various communist and extreme left groups and the same applies to those who were in favour of the west unilaterally disarming but not Russian and its allies. The same applied to the minority direct action Committee which appeared to posses a clear approach on the use of Gandhian based non violent civil disobedience and direct action and which before the Holy Loch demonstration insisted that individuals gave up something to participate, a job, an education, their family life and apart from its full time organiser, did not want to see the development of persistent law breakers. Participants were expected to adhere to the non violent approach and to the policy oh accepting imprisonment as an individual gesture and act of defiance to establish the sincerity and importance of the action.
The Committee of 100 while it recruited Mike Randal from the Direct Action Committee never had the same integrity, and I resigned after catching out Ralph Scheonman who appeared to take over control with the blessing of Lord Russell, canvassing in a coffee bar where I was clearing tables for people to sign up for a mass demonstration even if they did not intend to take part. He wanted to be able to tell the meeting of the 100 that he had the commitments of the required 3000 or 4000 with had been able set as the minimum to participate working on the basis that that the authorities would not be able to cope which such a large number. When I wrote to Lord Russell to complain about this approach, his wife replied that my letter had upset the great man but he had full confidence in Mr Scheonman, so I resigned.
Although large numbers did participate with some effect this was such a disparate group that it became difficult to reach decisions on policy and tactics which commanded majority support. The only reason why I was invited to join the committee was because a number of those who formed the first 100 resigned when they realised the likelihood of prosecution as an organiser and then as a participant, although a number of the committee organising the successful mass demonstration did not participate in them. Meetings were memorable for their chaos and inability to reach a consensus and far from the situation improving when members of the Direct Action the Direct Action Committee and its supporters were recruited and the Committee of 100 joined in the Holy demonstration where I was the field officer for the final weeks in Scotland as well as the Marshall for the first part of the march leading to resigning when it was evident that the basic principles and safeguards had been abandoned in order to achieve numbers. While the communists and Enterists such as the Socialist Labour League tended to shy away from the direct action end because it involved the likelihood of prison, the direct action end was joined by anarchists and subversives, some who were educated clear thinkers, some espousing violence and other who did not, and individualists who were crackpots. As the organisations were not secret, with open membership, it was possible for intelligence services to participate as well using provocateurs. There were also media interests undercover and in the instance the Holy Loch march one was openly embedded in every sense of the term. The combination of people like me who was respected the role of governments and those functioned on be half of the state and disclosed all that I was doing and why together with those who were placed to find out such information meant that most if not all what we did was known in advance.
That despite all the technology and people on the ground of intelligence and security services from around the world listening, watching, tracking and analysing no one knew of the plans to commit the massacre is a reflection of the limitations of the state organisations, given they will also employed those who can think and analyse outside the boxes and of the sophistication and strength of those prepared to die for their cause.
Contrary to some commentators who are already calling for dialogue with the enemy and while this is desirable if there is a willingness to consider changing methods and operating within the structures of individual countries, this can never occur in the wake of such atrocities as to do so will signal the way ahead for others. Moreover this also assume that that those involved directing and funding terrorist activity are prepared to accept anything other than the surrender of every one to their beliefs and power.
I have been able to establish the following factual information to-day
15.50 GMT gun men opened first at the Chhatrapati Sivaji Railway station. At least two gunmen kill and injure indiscriminately
During the next 40 minutes at least four gun men opened fire within the Cama and Albless Hospital with two attackers killed and two said to have been captured
During this period other gunmen seize control of the Nariman House described as business and residential centre and with include the Jewish Ghabad Chbad Lubavitch outreach centre, It is not known when they killed the Rabbi and his children except for the youngest.
At the same time other gunmen attacked the Cafe Leopold opening fire on diners cause severe death and injury.
At the same time gun men entered the Overoi Leopold hotel where it is reported that up to 380 people are staying plus staff. Many have been killed and injured
It is known hat at least seven gun men entered the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel where up to 450 people are staying with staff
A previously unknown group called Deccan Mujahedeen claim responsibility. This appears to be an operational name for the massacre.
The following day attempts were made to kill the gunmen and release hostages and those barricaded in their rooms. That afternoon local time the Indian Prime Minister and the Pakistan President made TV addressed in which reference is made to the involvement of external forces and organisation
Operations to kill or capture gum men at the Jewish centre and the Trident hotel are concluded with mixed results. Fighting continues at the other hotel where 30 bodies are found in a hall, presumably hostages.
In addition gunmen open fire at the South Mumbai Police Headquarters; A hijacked police jeep shoots at customers at the Metro Movie Theatre and there is a car bomb blast at the Vile Pale suburb in north Mumbai. There is an explosion at the Mazagaon Docks with a boat with armaments seized. It is claimed that four of the terrorists have been captured alive.
Members of the European Parliament from, Poland, Spain, Germany and Britain known to be staying at the hotel, some were out to dinner while others remain in the hotel. The President of Madrid was in checking in and Indian Member of Parliament was in a restaurant, Four gun men were killed as they tried to flee in cars.
It is believe that at least 250 residents and staff were brought out of the Mahal Palace,
So far 96 people of Indian nationality have been killed with 5 from Israeli, 4 Australian, 3 German, 2 American, 2 French, 1 British, Canadian, Japanese, Italian and Singaporean 300 Indian nationals injured 25 other nationalities injured including seven British, including individuals from Oman China, Finland and Norway also a Filipino.
Saturday morning addition
So far this is not the greatest toll of death in this City which as mentioned yesterday is one of the great economic and social cities of the world.
Nor is the multi target attack new as the first attack in March 1993 some 15 years ago is reported to have killed 257 wounded over 700 and involved 13 bombs in places where there are people. In 2003 a single bomb in a bus killed 2. Then in 2003 there were four murderous attacks with a single bomb killing 10, bomb on bicycle killed one, bomb on bus killing 4 and then two bombs in very crowded places such a bazaar killed 50. On the 11 July seven bombs went off in trains killing 209.
The 1993 massacre merits close attention It is my under understanding that many more that the quoted figures may have died and were injured, The attack was made by Indian Muslims following on a massacre of several thousand Muslims of which there 115 million in India, the second largest concentration in the world. A feature of this raid was the landing of weapons in the city with the connivance of customs officials and a senior police involvement, and this included pelting a crowd with grenades. Building attacked included three hotels, the Indian Stick Exchange, a Bazaar, the Air India Building an airport and a theatre,
One family, the Memons, were found to have been involved in aspects of the funding, purchase of travel for participants to attend training camps, purchase of vehicles etc.
Ten people, described as Planters were convicted of planting explosives. It is significant that it was not until last year that the majority of these were sentenced to death, Six others were accused of various offences and were sentenced to death or life imprisonment. Two men wee accused of involvement in the sea landing and one found guilty. A senior customs man was prosecuted and convicted, although he proclaimed his invoiced until his death and his family press on to establish the truth. Four customs officials were convicted of being a part of the conspiracy. One ex police sub inspector was convicted of involvement and took bribes and four police constables were convicted to six years and fined. AQ famous actor and four of his friends were convicted of involvements.
A feature of the case is that the former Chief Minister of the region admitted he had deliberately misled the media into believing that a bomb had gone off in a Muslim area to prevent communal riots. A number of others were also involved including one man who was extradited from Dubai for his involvement meetings there involving men used to take the weapons and ammunitions and arranging arms training there.
No one has claimed responsibility for the last of the 2003 Bombings in which 50 people died but a Pakistan based group is thought to have been responsible.
In 2006, bombs were placed in pressure cookers in First class compartments and some set aside for women in seven commuter trains at roughly the same time with over 200 deaths and 700 injuries. Some three hundred suspects were rounded up and many are still in custody with only a handful formally arrested and later withdrew confessions saying they had been given under duress. Two organisation are said to have been responsible, One the Army of God originated in Afghanistan and I said to be based in Pakistan although an illegal organisation in that country, India and the USA, The other organisation, now banned was the Islamic Student Association now the Indian Muhajideen and believe responsible fro attacks in Delhi and Ahmadabad and elsewhere. Its President was a USA Professor and the focus the movement concerned the position of Palestine and the role of Yasser Arafat. It is thought the movement has strong connection with Al Qaeda.
Out of all this horror and carnage the involvement of experts from outside India is a positive development as is the offer of assistance from Pakistan. The deaths of so many from other countries, including those who had status and position in their own countries should unite even more than before in cooperation and common action.
I appreciate the sincerity of those who say that if the USA in particular stopped attacks which involved collateral damage it would reduce the ground for turning spiritually committed young people into seeing themselves as avenging angels. I also understand and have considerable sympathy for those who want enter into direct dialogue and every opportunity to do this should be undertaken if only to clarify the aims and the terrorists so that everyone cannot be any doubt that the only solution in some instances is for them to be stopped. And to force them to seriously embark on other means to attain their ends as long of course as those are ends we can live with and look our children in the eye.
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