Newswise — The horrific attacks in Mumbai have underlined how difficult it is for developing states to be safe from terrorism. Since 2005, this is the fourth major attack in India, following bomb blasts and machine gun attacks in Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai.
Unlike previous attacks in India, this time the terrorists came via sea, firing indiscriminately rather than using bombs and specifically targeting numerous centers. The variation in method as well as the professionalism imply a collaboration between four possible groups: Al Qaeda or a similar outfit; Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence, which has long been suspected of training and equipping terrorist initiatives against India; homegrown Indian groups like the Deccan Mujahedeen, which has actually claimed responsibility for the current attack; and members of the Mumbai underworld.
While the first three have motivations extending from dislike of a non-Muslim secular state to weakening a critical enemy to exacting revenge for perceived crimes against Muslims, the latter two have the local support that makes their involvement crucial. This might explain differing objectives stated at various times by the terrorists " in one case warning India to vacate Muslim lands (a clear reference to Kashmir), and in another purportedly responding to Indian support of U.S. foreign policy.
However, specifically targeting American and British tourists is not an effective way to invite international sympathy for the Kashmir question, so it is more likely that statement was made to give the appearance of Kashmiri nationalism. The fact that varying targets " a café, two hotels, a railway station, hospitals, police stations " were selected suggests that the main objective was to stifle life in Mumbai. Also, targeting British and American tourists could have the dual objective of scaring them off as well as lessening the attractiveness of India as a trade partner for Western businesses.
All of this would suggest a Pakistani source, but since the new government of President Zardari is not considered hostile to India, it is highly probable that this may be a rogue operation by Pakistani operatives, or another sign that the government is losing control of various terrorist groups that have been allowed to take refuge there over the last two decades. The attackers' motivation may involve Pakistan's diminishing relationship with the United States, as suggested by U.S. missile attacks against militants in Pakistani territory, as well as the recent Indo-U.S. nuclear deal, which emphasizes the rising importance of India in America's strategic vision.
In any event, this attack undermines not just Indian but regional stability and requires both South Asian and broader international cooperation to prevent future outbursts.
RSS