U.S. terrorism experts say the November terror attacks in Mumbai, Indiaare an example of a rising culture of terrorism that could inspiresimilar operations in the future. The experts discussed the potentialfor future attacks during a congressional hearing this week Wednesdaybefore the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security.
Terrorismexpert Brian Michael Jenkins of the RAND Corporation says themasterminds behind the Mumbai attacks showed a sophisticated level ofstrategic thinking during the three-day assault that left more than 170people dead. Jenkins says meticulous planning by the attackers, whoIndia says are members of the out-lawed group Lashkar-e-Taiba, allowedthem to achieve their objectives.
"They were able to captureand hold international attention, always an objective of terrorism.They were able to exploit India's vulnerabilities, create a politicalcrisis in India," he said.
Speaking before the U.S. SenateCommittee on Homeland Security, Jenkins said what happened in Mumbaiclearly shows that al-Qaida is not the only terrorism threat in theworld. He said there are new contenders that have adopted al-Qaida'sideology of global terror.
"This suggests not only a continuingterrorist campaign in India, but more broadly it suggests that theglobal struggle against the jihadist terrorist campaign is far fromover," he said.
The attacks in Mumbai were carried out by 10men armed with assault weapons. Jenkins says the attackers usedhostages to impede the police response.
"This is a tactic thatwe have seen elsewhere and that now we do have to be prepared for. That is, terrorists deliberately embedding themselves with civilians toincrease the ultimate body count as the response takes place," he said.
Jenkinssaid terrorists are likely to continue to focus on "soft targets" likehotels, surface transportation, and other public places that are notusually subject to increased security.
He also added thatPakistan continues to play a problematic role in terrorist campaigns inSouth Asia because terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba are findingsanctuary in the country's turbulent tribal areas.
Republican Senator Susan Collins of the Northeastern state of Maine says Pakistan should be urged to take action.
"TheUnited States government must continue to press the Pakistanigovernment to eliminate safe-havens, and starve LeT and similar groupsof new recruits for their deadly operations," she said.
Pakistan officials say they have detained at least 71 people suspected of being linked to Mumbai attacks.
TheU.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security has held multiple hearingsfocusing on lessons that the United States and other nations couldlearn from the deadly Mumbai attacks.