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Made in Pakistan By Yossi Melman Tags: terror, Israel News, Mumbai  A previously little-known group calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the series of attacks that rocked Mumbai over the last two days. The organization is named for Hyderabad, a mainly Muslim southern Indian city. It previously claimed responsibility for last May's series of explosions in Jaipur, which killed 70 people. Indian security authorities, however, believe the group is actually a front for the Muslim terrorist organization Lashkar a-Tayeb ("army of believers"), established in 1989 by Pakistani intelligence. This assessment is based partly on the interrogation of nine members who were arrested. They revealed that 60 to 70 terrorists, some of whom came to Mumbai by boat, carried out the current attacks. Weapons and a stash of grenades were found in one of the boats after its passengers came ashore. Advertisement Pakistani intelligence founded, aided and cultivated this and other militant organizations as part of its battle against India in the contested region of Kashmir. It was only in 2003, after 9/11 and under heavy pressure from India and the United States, that the organization and similar ones were outlawed in Pakistan. Experts believe the main goal of Lashkar a-Tayeb is to destabilize India by damaging its economy and its fragile ethnic mix while fomenting dissent among India's large Muslim minority. The organization, which is on the list of outlawed terror organization in many countries, seeks to end what it consideres India's occupation of Kashmir. Its ideological platform combines anti-Western ideas (which explains its choice of hotels popular with Westerners in its list of targets) with those of global jihad and of hatred toward India. In the past, the group had strong links to Osama Bin Laden, and its members trained in Al-Qaida camps in Afghanistan. Abu Zubaydah, considered one of the most senior Al-Qaida officials being held at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, was captured in March 2002 in a joint operation by United States and Pakistani intelligence forces at a Lashkar a-Tayeb safe house. Slow response In the first several hours after the Mumbai incidents began, the response of the Indian authorities was slow, confused and inefficient. The first forces sent to the scene were inexperienced local police officers, who suffered many casualties as a result. It took some time before military and security authorities realized the scope of the attack and deployed skilled security forced, including army and navy commando units, to the 10 attack sites. These units, and in particular the National Security Guard's Black Cats commando force, have an impressive operational record, especially in Kashmir and against the Pakistani army. They operate in accordance with the British military tradition, and are trained by equivalent British special forces such as the Secret Intelligence Service, as well as by U.S. special forces units. According to Indian analysts, these units also maintain contacts with similar units in Israel. Bookmark to del.icio.us   A real mensch Chabad leaders say the slain rabbi's only concern was helping Jews away from home. An immodest proposal Likud MK suggests using Palestinian prisoners as human shields against Qassams.   1.   Pak ISI Chief invited to India to help Investigations 00:55  |  anti-yossi-hasbara 29/11/08

Read & React 9 dead in Mumbai Chabad house assault; Israel to help identify bodies Responses: 420 ANALYSIS / Is Al-Qaida behind the Mumbai terror attacks? Responses: 138 Roni Bart: Obama only makes demands of Israel, not the Palestinians Responses: 142 Anshel Pfeffer: U.S. Jews jealous of Israelis who don't have to grapple with Jewish identity Responses: 94 More Headlines 00:29 9 dead in Mumbai Chabad house attack; Israel to help identify bodies 00:58 At Chabad house, Israeli paramedics checked the dead as crowd hailed the soldiers 01:11 Tensions escalate between India and Pakistan in wake of Mumbai attacks 00:32 ANALYSIS / Are the Mumbai attacks Obama's first test? 00:37 Indian media react angrily to Israeli criticism of Chabad rescue operation 00:40 Israeli survivors: We used our cell phones to keep in touch with each other 19:57 What do Israeli sex tourists in Thailand really think? 17:40 Two Palestinians, two settlers injured in clashes in Hebron 21:40 Likud MK calls for using Palestinian prisoners as human shields against Qassam rockets 12:31 8 IDF troops hurt in W. Negev mortar strike, soldier loses leg 14:38 Ahmadinejad blames West for spreading economic crisis to world 03:14 First U.S. ambassador to Libya in three decades to arrive in December 22:02 Police suspect elderly couple in Haifa attempted to commit suicide Previous Editions Select Day 28 nov 27 nov 26 nov 25 nov 24 nov 23 nov 21 nov 20 nov 19 nov 18 nov 17 nov 16 nov

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