The Hindu Business Line : Mumbai massacre has hallmarks of al-Qaeda: US experts

WASHINGTON: The multiple terror attacks in Mumbai that have killed over 100 people have the “hallmarks'' of the al-Qaeda, anti-terrorism experts have suggested, even as they indicated other well-known terror outfits with links to Pakistan may be behind t he strikes.

The horrific attacks in Mumbai that have left over hundred people dead and involving a hostage situation has received widespread attention in the American media. Bruce Riedel, a veteran CIA officer and former senior director for South Asia and the Middl e East on the White House National Security Council, said the attacks had the hallmarks of an al Qaeda-affiliated Islamic group such as Lashkar-e Toiba (LeT), which is based in Pakistan and has links to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency.

“India has been a major target of terrorism for the last several years, Bombay in particular,'' Riedel, one of the top advisors to US President-elect Barack Obama, has been quoted as saying in The Washington Times.

“The vast bulk of these attacks have been carried out by Islamic extremist groups such as Lashkar-e Toiba, which has close links to al-Qaeda,'' said Riedel, who is expected to figure in the next US administration in some prominent fashion, perhaps in Sou th Asia.

Several well-known security specialists and former senior administration officials have taken the position that while the al-Qaeda is a good suspect to ponder about, other well known terror outfits with links to Pakistan like the Lakshar-e-Toiba may well have been behind the coordinated blasts. - PTI

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