Similarities in Mumbai and Lahore attack: NY Police Chief

Lalit K Jha

Washington, Mar 12 (PTI) As attackers of Sri Lankan
cricketers continued to elude police, experts have found
similarities between Mumbai and Lahore strikes and have cited
evidence to show that terrorists were changing tactics to go
for commando-style operations over suicide bombings.

Intelligence division of the New York Police Department
(NYPD) have carried out a study of the twin terrorists strikes
and said there was evidence of a "shift in tactics" from
suicide bombs to a commando-style military assault with small
team of highly trained, heavily armed operatives launching
simultaneous, sustained attacks.

Testifying before a Congressional sub-committee on Mumbai
terrorist attack Wednesday, the New York City Police
Commissioner, Raymond W Kelly has said "We are paying very
close attention to this trend."

Appearing before the House Committee on Homeland
Security, Kelly also pointed out other similarities as choice
of location: dense, relatively unprotected urban areas where
the terrorists could establish strategic choke points to
impede the response of authorities.

This was the fourth hearing by a Congressional committee
on Mumbai attack, which killed more than 170 people including
several American nationals.

"We also know that some form of detailed, pre-attack
surveillance was carried out in both cases, as evidenced by
terrorists thorough familiarity with their targets.

"Likewise, both sets of attackers coordinated their
movements closely through the use of basic technology, cell
phones in Mumbai and small battery powered two-way radios in
Lahore," he said.

Kelly said the assault teams themselves were composed of
physically fit males between the ages of 20 and 30. They were
similar composition and in size, with 10 people involved in
the Mumbai attack and an estimated 12 in Lahore. In each
instances, the team appeared to break down into smaller,
two-man operating units once the attack was launched.

While in both Mumbai and Lahore the attackers were armed
with assault rifles, semi-automatic pistols and grenades, they
carried backpacks with additional ammunition and explosives,
more than enough to sustain a prolonged siege, he observed.

"Both groups were calm, unhurried and methodical. They
also carried food and drugs to enhance their performance and
stamina.

"In Mumbai, the terrorists reportedly used cocaine and
amphetamines to stay awake. In Lahore, remnants of unspecified
high energy biscuits were recovered from the scene," he said.

Kelly said it appears both the attacks were initially not
designed to be suicidal. The goals of the terrorists included
hostage taking, extending the violence and the resulting media
coverage and escaping.

"Both operations focused on highly symbolic targets. By
impacting tourism and international sports they were intended
to instill fear and cause economic damage. They were also
aimed at attacking the global reputations of India and
Pakistan and heightening regional tensions between the two,"
he said.

While the political root cause of these attacks appears
to be local, Kelly said the terrorists networks behind them
are global, well-funded and interconnected.

The militant Islamic group in these cases – mainly
Lashkar-e-Taiba – has deep and longstanding ties to Al Qaeda,
he said. PTI LKJ