26/11 Attacks

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1. American-born Pakistani terrorist David Richard Headley visited India five times to identify the targets. He had three wives, two of whom had told US authorities of his terror associations. In 2005, an American woman married to him told federal investigators in the US that she believed he was a member of the Lashkar-e-Tayyabba. Two years later, his Moroccan wife warned American authorities in Pakistan that he was plotting an attack.

The Central Intelligence Agency tipped India off about the possibility of a major terrorist attack on Mumbai. There were some 26 alerts in all. The inputs revealed that an attack may take place through the sea route, and five-star hotels in Mumbai may be targeted. The Research and Analysis Wing and Intelligence Bureau were unable to prevent the strikes.

2. The Siege, a book by Adrian Levy and Cathy Scott-Clark, claims that Headley revealed that his handler, Major Iqbal of the Inter-Services Intelligence, once boasted about having a “super agent” known as ‘Honey Bee’ in New Delhi.

This mole reportedly helped the terror group identify a South Mumbai fishing colony, Badhwar Park, as a suitable landing site for the terrorists. ‘Honey Bee’ has still not been identified.

 

3. Two failed attempts to enter Mumbai went undetected

While testifying before a Mumbai court over video in 2016, Headley said that there were two failed attempts to attack the city before 26/11 by the same 10 terrorists. The first attempt was made on September 8, but the boat hit rocks in the ocean and sank. The weapons and explosives were lost, but those on board survived. Another attempt was made in October, but failed.

4. Fishermen reported presence, police was slow to respond

Some fishermen and shopkeepers who were suspicious of the strangers who docked at Colaba on November 26, 2008 questioned them, but were told, “mind your own business”. They reported the presence of these men to the police, but there was no immediate action. Even earlier, a fisherman had written to the police about the possibility of terrorists bringing explosives from the sea but was ignored.

5. Terrorists were better equipped

While the attackers passed by a police station, they did not face any resistance as the police realised that they were outgunned. The police switched off the lights and closed the gates.

Armed with Arges hand grenades, automatic assault rifles and improvised explosive devices, the well-trained terrorists had an upper hand over the local police, who were taken by

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• 24 young men were trained for the Mumbai attacks in Muzzafarabad. The training comprised of commando training, combat training, and indoctrination. From the 24, only 10 were selected for the task.

• The attacks were planned several months in advance. The attackers used at least three SIM cards purchased on the India-Bangladesh border. There were also reports that a SIM card was purchased in the US state New Jersey.

• The 10 terrorists entered Mumbai via the coastal route in inflatable speedboats. Six of them alighted at the Macchimar Nagar when asked them about their identity by the local fishermen, they introduced themselves as students. While the other four alighted at Badhwar Park in Cuffe Parade and when being asked about their identity they told the fishermen to mind their own business. The fishermen reported the incident to police authorities but were not taken seriously.

• Before landing in Mumbai, the attackers consumed LSG, cocaine, and steroids to keep them awake and active.

• Ajmal Kasab, the only terrorist captured alive, was booked under various acts including Arms Act, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, Explosives Act, Customs Act, Waging war against the country and other various sections of Railway Act. Among the various offenses registered against him, he was also booked for entering railway premises without a proper ticket.

• During the Nariman House operation, NSG commandos reached onto the roof by fast-roping from helicopters. But before alighting on the Nariman House’s roof, due to pilot’s mistake the commandos were dropped in the wrong building.

• Assistant sub-inspector of Mumbai Police and a retired army man Tukaram Omble laid down his life to nab the lone surviving terrorist Ajmal Kasab. Omble was awarded the Ashoka Chakra for extraordinary bravery and valor in the line of duty.

• Jamaat-Ud-Dawa leader Hafiz Saeed is said to be the mastermind behind the attacks. It is said that Saeed planned and executed the entire plan from Pakistan. He was placed under house arrest in Pakistan in January 2017 but since November 23 he has been set free by a Judicial Review Board of Judges in the Lahore Court. His freedom has come barely four days before the 9^th anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

• US officials believe that the Lashkar-e-Taiba militants were provided assistance by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officers.

• Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist David Coleman Headley, while testifying before a Mumbai court, revealed that before the November 2008 attacks the same group made two failed attempts to strike the city in September and October.