Indian people look at Taj Mahal Hotel
where terrorist attack took place in Mumbai, India, Nov. 30, 2008. After
the final siege at the Taj Mahal hotel, lives of people live in Mumbai
began to return to normal. But the main areas, which were attacked by the
terrorists, are still blocked by the police. (Xinhua/Liu Sui
Wai) Photo
Gallery>>>
By Zhou Jun, Lian Haidong & Fei Liena
NEW DELHI, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- The terrorist attacks
in India's financial capital Mumbai starting Wednesday night have shocked the
world with their brazenness and brutality. The attacks have added to a mounting
sense of insecurity in the city and people are still struggling to come to terms
with the fallout from the three-day rampage.
TERRORIST ATTACKS MORE
FREQUENT
India has witnessed deadly terrorist attacks almost
every year ln recent years, with casualties running into thousands. Since a wave
of bombings hit Jaipur in May, several large Indian cities, including New Delhi
and Bangalore, all became targets of terrorist attacks, which resulted in heavy
casualties and losses.
As India's financial capital and the most populous
city, Mumbai has come under terrorist attacks three times in recent years, the
previous two being in 1993 and 2006. The latest attacks were more serious in
terms of their magnitude.
The attacks were well-planned and the gunmen were
cold-blooded. They were well-equipped and trained. They hurled grenades, fired
indiscriminately, took people hostage and attacked hotels and hospitals.
Experts point to the level of sophistication of the
attacks and also note that foreigners were targeted for the first time in
terrorist attacks in India.
Indian people look at Taj Mahal Hotel
where terrorist attack took place in Mumbai, India, Nov. 30, 2008. After
the final siege at the Taj Mahal hotel, lives of people live in Mumbai
began to return to normal. But the main areas, which were attacked by the
terrorists, are still blocked by the police.(Xinhua/Liu Sui
Wai) Photo
Gallery>>>
CAUSES BEHIND THE TERROR
ATTACKS
Against a backdrop of intensified anti-terror efforts
globally, there are deep-rooted causes behind the rampant terrorist activities
in India.
Firstly, sectarian conflicts are serious in India.
With many sects in the country, mostly belonging to Hindus and Muslims, many
conflicts erupt between the two communities, fighting for different religious
beliefs and their own interests.
A previously unknown group calling itself Deccan
Mujahedeen claimed responsibility for the attacks, fueling speculation they
might be linked to the Indian Mujahedeen formed by Islamic extremists, which had
sent emails claiming responsibility for four attacks it said it mounted between
November 2007 and September 2008.
Secondly, cross-border terrorism has become a major
threat to the country's security. Bordering on Afghanistan, Pakistan and
Bangladesh where some terrorist groups are operating, India is vulnerable to
these attacks. The Kashmir separatists have grown more worried because of the
improved ties between India and Pakistan and might have been involved the latest
attacks in their bid to sabotage India-Pakistan relations.
Independent security analyst K. Subrahmanyam
suggested that a primary motive for the Mumbai attacks could well have been a
desire to "wreck the peace process" launched by India and Pakistanin January
2004.
A shopkeeper cleans the shop near
Nariman house where terrorist attack took place in Mumbai, India, Nov. 30,
2008. After the final siege at the Taj Mahal hotel, lives of people live
in Mumbai began to return to normal. But the main areas, which were
attacked by the terrorists, are still blocked by the police.(Xinhua/Liu
Sui Wai) Photo
Gallery>>>
The attacks, involving multiple targets and
hostage-taking, bears "the hallmarks of Al-Qaeda attacks in the Middle East and
North Africa", said former national security advisor Brajesh Mishra.
Thirdly, separatism is flourishing in India which has
a vast territory, a large population and unbalanced economic development. The
widening gap between rich and poor has triggered discontent among minorities and
social conflicts are becoming more serious.
According to statistics from the Indian Interior Ministry, there are 275 terrorist groups in the country. For years, the government has been trying to ease conflicts through dialogue and negotiations, but the effort has not yielded much results.
