Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Admits That The Islamist Militants Who Killed 166 People In India In 2008 Had Crossed The Border From Pakistan

Sharif was dismissed as prime minister by the Supreme Court in July over corruption allegations [Faisal Mahmood/Reuters]

Reuters: Pakistan condemns ex-PM Sharif over comment on attack on India

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan’s top civil and military leaders on Monday condemned a suggestion by ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that Islamist militants who killed 166 people in India in 2008 had crossed the border from Pakistan.

The comments - in which Sharif implied he was removed from office by the Supreme Court last year for trying to end military support for anti-India militants - led to an uproar in Pakistan, where criticizing the military is increasingly considered a “red line” that cannot be crossed.

The National Security Council (NSC), in a special meeting on Monday called by the military, rejected Sharif’s comments in an interview with Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper as “incorrect and misleading”, the prime minister’s office said in a statement.

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Update #1: Pakistan's Sharif ignites firestorm with Mumbai attacks interview -- AFP
Update #2: Pakistan's ex-PM Nawaz Sharif slammed for Mumbai attack comments -- Al Jazeera

WNU Editor: The interview that got former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in trouble is here .... For Nawaz, it’s not over till it’s over (DAWN). The India government is treating these remarks as vindication for blaming Pakistan for the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

Mastermind Behind The Mumbai Terror Attack Released By Pakistan

The Guardian: Suspected mastermind of Mumbai terror attack released from Pakistan jail

Lahore court’s ruling that detention of Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi is ‘unjustified’ means Pakistan has failed to successfully prosecute any alleged perpetrators of terror attack that killed 166

The man accused of masterminding the devastating 2008 terror attack on the Indian city of Mumbai has walked free from a Pakistani jail after detention orders against him were dropped.

The decision of Lahore’s high court to release Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the alleged military chief of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, was described by as an “insult to the victims” of the terror attack that killed 166 people.

WNU Editor: In the meantime the man who helped the U.S. in finding Osama Bin laden is still languishing in a Pakistani jail.

More News On The Mastermind Behind The Mumbai Terror Attack Being Released By Pakistan

Pakistan court frees on bail 26/11 accused mastermind Lakhvi - lawyer -- Reuters
Alleged Mumbai Attacks Mastermind Leaves Pakistani Jail -- NYT/AP
Mumbai terror suspect released on bail -- UPI
Alleged Mastermind of 2008 Mumbai Attack Is Freed From Pakistan Prison -- WSJ
Pakistan frees alleged Mumbai attacks mastermind, angering India -- AFP
India condemns release on bail of accused Mumbai attacks mastermind -- Deutsche Welle

Days After School Massacre Pakistan Grants Bail To Militant Commander Accused Of Orchestrating The 2008 Mumbai Terrorist Attacks

Pakistan Grants Bail to Key Suspect in 2008 Mumbai Attacks -- New York Times

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A Pakistani court on Thursday granted bail to a militant commander accused of orchestrating the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, drawing loud protests from India.

The suspect, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, is a senior commander with Lashkar-e-Taiba, the group behind the blitz of attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai that left 166 people dead and gravely worsened the relationship between Pakistan and India. He has been on trial since 2009.

The slow pace of the trial, which is closed to the news media, has been a continuing source of contention with India, which accuses the Pakistani authorities of tacitly supporting Lashkar-e-Taiba.

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More News On Pakistan Granting Bail To The Militant Commander Accused Of Orchestrating The 2008 Mumbai Terrorist Attacks

Pakistani judge grants bail to alleged key figure in 2008 Mumbai terror attack -- Washington Post
Pakistan court grants bail to alleged Mumbai attacks mastermind -- AFP
Mumbai attacks 'mastermind' Lakhvi bailed in Pakistan -- BBC
Pakistan Court Bails Man Accused of Masterminding Mumbai Attack -- VOA
Man accused of organizing Mumbai attacks granted bail -- USA Today
Pakistan court grants bail to alleged Mumbai attack mastermind -- BDLive
India Hits Out at Pakistan Court’s Bail for Alleged Mumbai Attack Plotter -- WSJ
26/11 mastermind Lakhvi gets bail, shocked India asks Pakistan to act -- Business Standard
Lakhvi’s release shows no change in Pakistan even after Peshawar carnage, experts say -- Times of India

My Comment: Why does this not surprise me. This release of an outspoken terrorist lays bare Pakistan's "double-standard" when it comes to stopping terror groups ... and why Pakistan is not capable of stopping the scourge of terrorism within its borders.

Pakistani Taliban Vows to Avenge The Execution Of The Surviving Mumbai Gunman

 

Pakistani Taliban Vows to Avenge Mumbai Gunman Execution -- Voice of America 

The Pakistani Taliban is vowing to avenge India's execution of the sole surviving Pakistani gunman who took part in the 2008 terror attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai. Mohammed Ajmal Kasab was hanged in western India Wednesday amid secrecy after being convicted of murder and of waging war against India for his role in the attacks that killed 166 people. Kasab, who initially pleaded not guilty, but later confessed to his involvement in the three-day siege, was buried at the jail in the city of Pune, where he was put to death. 

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More News On Pakistan's Taliban Vowing to Avenge Mumbai Gunman Execution  

Pakistani Taliban threaten to target India after execution of Mumbai attacker -- CNN  

Pakistan Taliban vow to attack Indian targets over Mumbai gunman -- Reuters  

akistan's Taliban vows revenge on India for Mumbai attacker's execution -- Global Post  

Taliban Say They Will Target India To Avenge Ajmal Kasab's Death -- International Business Times Pakistan Taliban "shocked" over execution of Mumbai attacker -- Reuters  

Taliban threaten revenge if India fails to return Mumbai gunman’s body to Pakistan -- Washington Post/AP India better hand over Kasab's body to Pakistan: Taliban -- Rediff  

India hangs only surviving gunman of 2008 Mumbai attacks -- NBC 

India Executes Mumbai Attack Gunman -- Voice of America  

Mumbai attack gunman Ajmal Qasab executed -- BBC  

Ajmal Kasab hanged, buried in Pune’s Yerwada Jail -- International News

India Remembers The Mumbai Terror Attack

India Remembers Mumbai Terror Attacks, Urges Pakistan to Prosecute Perpetrators -- Voice of America

Two years ago, a group of terrorists based in Pakistan launched deadly attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai. Now, on the second anniversary of the attacks, India is calling on Pakistan to help bring the perpetrators to justice. New Delhi's top diplomat says Pakistan must also do more to dismantle what he calls its "terror machine."

In memorial services around the country, and in social media forums like Twitter, Indians paid tribute Friday to civilians killed in the Mumbai terror attacks two years ago - and the security forces who tried to protect them.

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More News on India Remembering The Mumbai Massacre

Mumbai marks terror attacks anniversary -- BBC
India Marks 2 Years Since Mumbai Terror Attack -- AP
Mumbai attack victims remembered -- Al Jazeera
Mumbai Marks Second Anniversary of Terrorist Attacks With Prayers, Vigils -- Bloomberg
India wants action from Pakistan on Mumbai attacks -- Yahoo News/AP
India slams Pakistan for failing to bring Mumbai attack mastermind to justice -- Xinhuanet
India Presses Pakistan Over Mumbai Attacks On Anniversary -- Radio Free Europe
Pakistan says committed to bringing to justice 26/11 perpetrators -- Economic Times
Despite Mumbai, Some India-Pakistan Bonding -- Wall Street Journal

India Prepares For The Next Mumbai Attack

Flames and smoke poured from the Taj hotel in Mumbai, India, on Saturday. Arko Datta/Reuters

Police Trained By SAS To Prepare For Mumbai-Style Attacks -- The Telegraph

Police are being trained by the SAS and armed with more powerful weapons to prepare for a possible Mumbai-style terror attack in the UK.

Security chiefs are staging a series of counter-terrorism exercises with police sharpshooters training alongside special forces units, the BBC said.

The development follows the interception last month by British intelligence officials of a credible al-Qaeda-linked plot.

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My Comment: The impression of the article is clear .... it is not if, but when the next attack will happen.

India Now Firmly Believes That Pakistan's Intelligence Services Were Responsible For The Mumbai Terror Attacks In 2008

Pakistan Intelligence Services 'Aided Mumbai Terror Attacks' -- The Guardian

Militant arrested last year described dozens of meetings between ISI officers and senior Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives.

Pakistan's powerful intelligence services were heavily involved in preparations for the Mumbai terrorist attacks of November 2008, according to classified Indian government documents obtained by the Guardian.

A 109-page report into the interrogation of key suspect David Headley, a Pakistani-American militant arrested last year and detained in the US, makes detailed claims of ISI support for the bombings.

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More News On ISI Complicity In The 2008 Mumbai Terror Attacks

ISI 'aided 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks' -- Economic Times
ISI heavily involved in 26/11: Report -- NDTV
India questions FBI’s reluctance on disclosing Headley identity -- Economic Times
Wife of Mumbai plotter raised concerns before attack: US -- AFP
U.S. confirms contacts with Mumbai plotter's wives -- Reuters

Another U.S. Intelligence Failure?

Before '08 Mumbai Attacks, U.S. Was Warned Key Figure In Plot Had Terror Ties -- Washington Post

Three years before Pakistani terrorists struck Mumbai in 2008, federal agents in New York City investigated a tip that an American businessman was training in Pakistan with the group that later executed the attack.

The previously undisclosed allegations against David Coleman Headley, who became a key figure in the plot that killed 166 people, came from his wife after a domestic dispute that resulted in his arrest in 2005.

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More News On U.S. Intelligence Being Aware of The Mumbai Terror Plot

U.S. was told of American's ties to Pakistani militants -- Washington Post
Report: FBI Warned Ahead of Mumbai Attacks -- Voice of America
FBI reportedly got Mumbai attack tip -- Toronto Sun/Reuters
Report: Wife of Mumbai Terror Plotter Warned Feds of Husband's Extremist Links -- FOX News
FBI was warned about key figure in Mumbai attacks: report -- AFP

Interpol: 2 Officers In The Pakistan Army Wanted For Their Role In The Mumbai Terror Attack In 2008

Interpol wants to arrest serving Pakistan army officers over the attacks in Mumbai Photo: REUTERS

Interpol Issues Pakistan Army Arrest Warrants Over Mumbai Attacks -- The Telegraph

Interpol has issued warrants for the arrest of two serving officers in the Pakistan army for alleged involvement in the 2008 terror attacks on Mumbai, investigators said on Friday.

A third military figure, a retired Pakistan Army Major was also named as a suspect along with an al-Qaeda-linked commander and a leader of the Pakistan-based terrorist group, Lashkar e Taiba (LeT), which carried out the Mumbai attacks in which 166 were killed.

By asking Interpol to issue warrants against two apparently senior Pakistan Army officers, India has intensified its campaign against Islamabad and strengthened its claim that some elements within Pakistan’s security forces supported the Mumbai attacks.

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My Comment: More evidence of Pakistani involvement in terror groups. I doubt that these officers will be handed over, but at least they now have travel restrictions when they go abroad.

Chicago Man Is Charged in 2008 Attack on Mumbai

From The New York Times:

WASHINGTON — An American at the center of an international terrorism investigation has been charged with helping plot the 2008 rampage in Mumbai, India, that left 163 people dead, according to a Justice Department complaint unsealed on Monday.

The suspect, David C. Headley of Chicago, is accused of helping identify targets for a Pakistan-based terrorist group called Lashkar-e-Taiba, whose two-day attack on luxury hotels, a popular restaurant, a Jewish community center and a crowded train station brought India’s financial capital to a halt and shocked the world. The complaint described Mr. Headley’s repeated scouting visits to the sites nearly two years before the attacks, which have reignited tensions between India and Pakistan.

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My Comment: These charges are very serious .... therefore it is no surprise that David Headley is cooperating with investigators. I expect a treasure trove of information to come from this case .... much of which we will probably not know for many years. But one thing is sure .... an American played a central role in one of the worst terrorist attacks to hit India in many years .... a revelation that is disturbing to the extreme.

The Extremists Who Hit Mumbai Are Poised To Strike Again

From Macleans Magazine:

Lashkar-e-Taiba now has global ambitions.

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Canadian citizen and immigration consultant living in Chicago, is at the centre of terrorism investigations in India and the United States that link him to plots in Europe and America—and to the massacre in Mumbai one year ago that killed more than 160 people. Rana, who co-owns a house in Ottawa where he frequently visits, is currently charged in Chicago for allegedly planning an attack against the Danish newspaper that published cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. But according to Indian reports citing government sources, he is also suspected of playing a role in the Mumbai attacks, perhaps even scouting targets in the days before the massacre.

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My Comment: The question is not that these extremists are poised to strike again .... but the question is why they have not done so already. Unfortunately .... if the above reports are only 25% true .... we are going to get hit sooner rather than later.

India Marks First Anniversary of Deadly Mumbai Attacks

Mumbai Marks Anniversary Of Terror Attacks -- The Guardian

Security forces put on show of strength as city remembers 166 victims of Pakistani militants.

In pictures: one year on from Mumbai attacks

The first anniversary of last year's terror assault on Mumbai was marked today by a show of strength from the city's security services and a series of ceremonies to remember the 166 people killed by 10 Pakistani Islamist gunmen.

Police marched from the Trident hotel in Mumbai, scene of a hostage drama a year ago, and abseiled down prominent buildings. The security forces paraded armour-plated vehicles, machine guns and amphibious craft – part of a 1.3bn rupee (£16m) upgrade approved after the security forces' ineffectual response to last year's attack.

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More News On The Anniversary Of the Mumbai Attacks

Mumbai commemorates anniversary of attacks -- AP
One year after, India remembers Mumbai attacks -- Reuters
India Marks First Anniversary of Deadly Mumbai Attacks -- Voice of America
India marks one year after deadly Mumbai attacks -- AFP
Mumbai attacks: One year on -- BBC
India Remembers Horrifying Mumbai Terror Attacks -- Global Voices
Mumbai still feels insecure a year after attacks -- L.A. Times
A Year After Attacks, India Grapples With Security Fears -- Wall Street Journal
Pakistan Charges 7 Terrorism Suspects a Year After Attacks That Shocked Mumbai -- New York Times
Pakistan charges seven people over Mumbai attacks -- BBC
Q+A: Key facts about the Mumbai attacks and its fallout -- Reuters

A U.S. Connection To Last Year's Mumbai Attacks?

An Indian soldier takes cover as the Taj Mahal hotel burns in Mumbai last year
Photo: David Guttenfelder

British Intelligence Tipped Off Americans On Mumbai Suspect -- The Telegraph

British intelligence tipped off the American authorities over a suspect in the Mumbai bombings, the Daily Telegraph has learned.

David Coleman Headley, also known as Daood Sayed Gilani, made frequent visits to the Indian city where he mixed with the Bollywood set as a cover for his activities, it is claimed.

He joined a local gym in the upmarket Breach Candy area and stayed at the Taj Mahal hotel, one of the targets, in April and May 2007.

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More News On The U.S. Connection To The Mumbai Attacks

Two accused of Danish newspaper plot investigated for ties to Mumbai attacks -- Chicago Tribune
Two in custody linked to Mumbai attacks -- UPI
Pakistan charges 7 suspects in Mumbai attacks -- AP
One year after the Mumbai bomb attacks, the threat is as great as ever -- The Telegraph
What America Must Learn from India's 9/11 -- FOX News

India Is Nervous On The One Year Anniversary Of The Mumbai Attacks

(Photo from Foreign Policy)

India’s Guard Is Up After Attacks, But Weaknesses Remain -- New York Times

MUMBAI, India — A year after the deadly assault here by Pakistan-based militants that killed 163 people, this sprawling mega-city is a more cautious and safer place, but it remains vulnerable despite government pledges to overhaul security.

The public outrage that many thought would usher in a political groundswell for a firmer government response has dissipated. India has done little of the painful public soul-searching that followed the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States, to which the Mumbai attacks are often compared.

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More News On the Anniversary Of The Mumbai Attacks

Security still lacking one year after Mumbai attacks -- AFP
Mumbai still vulnerable 1 year after terror attack -- AP
A New Alliance -- Foreign Policy
India Assesses Lessons Learned from Mumbai Terror Attacks -- Voice of America
Victim recalls horror -- Straits Times
26/11: Questions that need to be posed and answered -- Rediff
Post-Mumbai Pakistan under siege from militants -- AFP

Pakistani Officers Helped Plan Mumbai Attacks, Says India

A gunman identified as Ajmal Amir Kasab walks through the rail station in Mumbai, India, on the day of the attacks. Sebastian D'souza / Associated Press

Pakistani Army Colonel 'Was Involved' in Mumbai Terror Attacks -- FOX News

MUMBAI, India — Police in Mumbai say they have identified at least one serving officer in the Pakistan Army as being involved in the terrorist attacks on the city that killed more than 170 people in November.

The 11,200-page document listing the charges against Azam Amir Kasab, the sole gunman to be captured alive, includes the name of Colonel R Sadatullah, who is thought by the Indian police to be a serving officer in the Pakistan Army’s Special Communications Organisation, an offshoot of the force’s signals corps.

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More News On Pakistan's Involvement In The Mumbai Terror Attacks

India accuses Pakistani Army officer of involvement in Mumbai attacks -- Christian Science Monitor
Pakistani officers helped plan Mumbai attacks, says India -- The Guardian
'Colonel' from Pakistan wanted in Mumbai case -- CNN
Pakistani Army colonel 'was involved' in Mumbai terror attacks -- Times Online
Pak blusters on 26/11 army link -- Times of India
The Pakistani army and the Mumbai attacks -- Foreign Policy Blog

26/11 Terrorists' Phones Traced To Italy, US: Report

Mumbai Terror Attacks. (Photo from The Economist.)

From Express India:

Rome Terrorists behind 2008's attacks on Mumbai used cell phones that were activated in the United States and paid for with funds sent from Italy, an Italian newspaper reported on Tuesday.

‘Corriere della Sera’ daily said India sent the intelligence information to Italy and other countries so anti-terrorism investigators could attempt to expose any ties to the network behind the November attack that killed at least 179 people.

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My Comment: What is disturbing to me in this story is learning that these phones were activated within the United States. It appears that this well organized terror group has sympathizers in the U.S. itself .... a situation that makes one wonder if they are just here to facilitate in the procurement of equipment and resources, or is their agenda directed at us in the U.S..

The main stream media in the U.S. is typically silent on these reports.

Mumbai Gunman Azam Amir Kasab Faces 5,000-Page Charge Sheet

Photo: Mohammed Kasab at the Mumbai railway station. (Sebastian D'souza/Mumbai Mirror/AP)

From Times Online:

The man police claim is the sole surviving gunman of the Mumbai terrorist attacks will be formerly charged today.

The document listing the crimes allegedly committed by Azam Amir Kasab is thought to be 5,000 pages long and lists misdemeanours ranging from murder and the waging war against India to being on a train platform without a valid ticket.

Police allege that Kasab, from Pakistan, an accomplice shot dead more than 50 people in an attack on Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai’s main train station, on November 26. In all ten gunmen took part in the Mumbai attacks, which claimed the lives of 170 people. Authorities believe the gunmen were trained in camps in Pakistan.

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My Comment: 5,000 pages .... some people have been very busy.

Chilling Mumbai Terror Attack Tapes Released

An Indian soldier takes cover as the Taj Mahal hotel burns during gun battle between the military and militants inside the hotel in Mumbai Photo: AP

From The Telegraph:

Newly released tapes of conversations between the masterminds of the Mumbai attacks and their gunmen on the ground reveal callous, remote-control killers who controlled every move the terrorists made.

The tapes, which were broadcast on an Indian television news channel, relay a conversation between one of the controllers in Pakistan and a female Jewish hostage in which he reassured her despite having already decided to have her killed.

A caller from Pakistan called Wasi spoke to Nurma Shvarzblat Rabinovich, 50, and asked her to call the Israeli consulate in Mumbai to set up negotiations with a senior diplomat.

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My Comment: This is disturbing .... but this is what terrorists do.

Mumbai Attackers Had Hit List Of 320 World Targets

Azam Amir Kasab, one of the Mumbai attackers, filmed on CCTV inside the Chhatrapati Shivaji train station in Mumbai. Photograph: Reuters

From The Guardian:

Lashkar-e-Taiba ringleaders had ambitions well beyond causing mayhem in India, the Guardian has learned

The plotters behind the Mumbai attack, which left more than 170 people dead, had placed India's financial capital on a list of 320 worldwide locations as potential targets for commando-style terror strikes, the Guardian has learned.

It suggests that Lashkar-e-Taiba, the outlawed terror group that planned much of the attack from Pakistan, had ambitions well beyond causing mayhem in India.

Western intelligence agencies have accessed the computer and email account of Lashkar's communications chief, Zarar Shah, and found a list of possible targets, only 20 of which were in India.

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My Comment: This list of targets was probably brought to the attention of the Pakistani authorities. The list of targets has not been publicized .... this tells me that there must be ongoing investigations in other countries.

Pakistan Acknowledges Mumbai-Attack Link, Charges 8

Pakistan Arrests 'Main Operator' In Mumbai Attacks -- Yahoo News/AP

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan acknowledged for the first time that the Mumbai terrorist attacks were launched from its shores and at least partly plotted on its soil, saying Thursday that it had arrested most of the chief suspects including one described as "the main operator."

Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik said Pakistan has started criminal proceedings against eight suspects — some of them also named by India as the masterminds of the attacks — but he reiterated that authorities needed more evidence from New Delhi to secure convictions.

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More News On Pakistan's Arrest Of The Mumbai Plotters

Pakistan says it arrests Mumbai attack plotters -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Pakistan admits Mumbai attacks planned inside its borders -- The Telegraph
Pakistan admits link to India attacks -- Times Online
Part of Mumbai plot hatched in Pakistan: Islamabad -- AFP
Official: Mumbai Attack Partly Planned in Pakistan -- Washington Post
Mumbai attacks suspects to be tried in Pakistani jail: TV -- China View
Pakistan Acknowledges Mumbai-Attack Link, Charges 8 -- Bloomberg
Pakistan Says Mumbai Attacks Were Partly Planned on its Soil -- NY Times
Mumbai Attacks Partly Planned in Pakistan -- Wall Street Journal