Somali pirate-LeT tie-up is BIG threat for India
The coming together of Lashkar-e-Tayiba and southern Somalia-based Al-Shahbab poses new maritime protection issues for India.
The interrogation of several pirates who have been nabbed in Indian waters has revealed that the Somalis have been sponsored directly by the deadly Islamic terrorist group Al-Shahbab.
The interrogation of several pirates who have been nabbed in Indian waters has revealed that the Somalis have been sponsored directly by the deadly Islamic terrorist group Al-Shahbab.
Intelligence
sources told rediff.com that the Al-Shahbab group has links with the Al
Qaeda and carries out the latter's operations. The cadres of this group
specialise more on sea and have been using the pirates for their
operations.
The IB says that every one out of ten attacks is attributed to some terrorist group.
The IB says that every one out of ten attacks is attributed to some terrorist group.
India has witnessed
at least 200 attacks so far from pirates. The IB believes that the
pirates may be collecting logistical data for terrorist groups. They
also raise funds for terror outfits through hijacked vessels.
The
detail that has been most revealing during the interrogation of these
pirates is that the Al-Shahbab group, which has been closely associated
with the Al Qaeda, is now cozying up to the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, which is
probably India's biggest headache.
Intelligence reports suggest that the Lashkar-Al-Shahbab association will look to carry out more attacks on Indian waters and one could witness plenty of hostage crisis' in the near future, if not acted upon.
An officer dealing with maritime security told rediff.com that it is extremely difficult to keep a tab on the entire ocean and that the need of the hour was to have maritime cooperation between countries.
Intelligence reports suggest that the Lashkar-Al-Shahbab association will look to carry out more attacks on Indian waters and one could witness plenty of hostage crisis' in the near future, if not acted upon.
An officer dealing with maritime security told rediff.com that it is extremely difficult to keep a tab on the entire ocean and that the need of the hour was to have maritime cooperation between countries.
Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh, during his visit to Africa recently, addressed this
concern to his counterparts, who assured him of all possible cooperation
in this regard.
The officer points out that it is important that such activities are cut off at the source. It is a herculean task, but can be done if taken seriously.
The officer points out that it is important that such activities are cut off at the source. It is a herculean task, but can be done if taken seriously.
Interrogation
of pirates suggests that the Lashkar has created an entirely new wing
under the leadership of a terrorist by the name Abu Yakoob to launch
attacks from the sea. He in turn has roped in three different outfits to
ensure that such attacks are coordinated.
The Al-Shahbab, which has control over the pirates, has been told to increase the number of attacks and not worry much about results for now.
The Al-Shahbab, which has control over the pirates, has been told to increase the number of attacks and not worry much about results for now.
Yakoob has roped in the Abu-Sayaf and Jemaah Islamyah groups to help with their maritime operation.
There have been instances to show that there are movements between Pakistan and Somalia with an intention of planning more attacks on a larger scale.
While the Lashkar will rope in more such groups in the days to come, the entire operation would be headquartered at Karachi as was like during the 26/11 attack. While the Lashkar would try and execute attacks on the sea, they would also use this team of theirs to launch attacks on land as well. Coastal areas in India will be under the scanner since these would be the obvious targets.
There have been instances to show that there are movements between Pakistan and Somalia with an intention of planning more attacks on a larger scale.
While the Lashkar will rope in more such groups in the days to come, the entire operation would be headquartered at Karachi as was like during the 26/11 attack. While the Lashkar would try and execute attacks on the sea, they would also use this team of theirs to launch attacks on land as well. Coastal areas in India will be under the scanner since these would be the obvious targets.
Apart
from launching attacks on Indian soil and waters, terrorist groups
would also look to transport ammunition and also send in cadres into
Indian soil. This gives an indication that land borders are no longer
the favourite choice of terror groups to carry out an infiltration
process.
Comments