Author: N. P. Phadnis
Publication: The Free Press Journal
Date: January 15, 2002
Mumbai police had to do a lot of
home work before the Indian government could submit its list of most wanted
terrorists hiding in Pakistan to General Parvez Musharraf so that he can
act immediately and show his sincerity in fighting terrorism as promised
to world leaders.
Even before New York was made target
by the terrorists, Mumbai city has suffered heavy loss of lives and property
due to heinous attacks by the terrorist organizations fully supported by
Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). There is no wonder then that
the list supplied by the Indian government to General Musharrafincludesmany
ISI-connected dons from Mumbai's underworld. Many ISI operatives and dreaded
terrorists had taken shelter at one time or the other.
Over the years of combing operations,
Mumbai police have come to a conclusion that the ISI and other dreaded
terrorist organizations have penetrated Mumbai's underworld so deeply that
it is rather difficult to differentiate between the two. However, top officials
feel that the authorities must make a difference and treat both separately
and try to create a wedge between the two in the larger interest of the
country.
In terms of the internal security,
Mumbai city is a sitting duck. There are so many targets within the city
as well as so many installations of national importance that the Mumbai
police and other security agencies can hardly take any respite from the
constant watch. Police have to take special precautions as Shiv Sena chief
Bal Thackeray is the prime target of these terrorist outfits. RAW and other
agencies have already warned the city police of possible attack on targets
in Mumbai city, the commercial capital of the country.
Mumbai city has already suffered
due to covert attacks by the ISI. After Ayodhya demolition, ISI operatives
fully utilized the situation and fomented trouble. Even as the initial
anger was dying down, these ISI operatives saw to it that trouble continued
and hit the commercial nerve center of the city.
As per the Mumbai police records,
the serial bomb blasts that followed the communal riots was entirely planned
and masterminded by ISI operatives. They used the Mambai's dreaded underworld
for executing the bomb blasts in 12 important centers in the city including
Mumbai's Stock Exchange, Air India building at Nariman Point, and the Sena
Bhavan. The list includes names of Dawood Ibhrahim and Tiger Memon who
were responsible for this dastardly attack and are still at large hiding
in Pakistan. Bombay police are hoping that General Musharraf will hand
over these and other wanted criminals to the Indian government since they
have supplied all the relevant documents as proof of their involvement
in planning and executing these bomb blasts.
The Vajpayee government has stepped
up its diplomatic pressure on Pakistan and warned Pakistan against harbouring
criminals and terrorists wanted by Indian authorities. The home department
along with the foreign affairs department is busy taking diplomatic efforts
to put more pressure on General Musharraf.
The state government is keeping
a tight vigil and maintaining utmost secrecy about the list of dreaded
terrorists and criminals wanted by the state government. Chief Minister
Vilasrao Deshmukh has expressed anxiety over security of police saying
that the authorities are prepared for any attack in the city. Even in the
event of a limited war, Mumbai is going to be a major target by Pakistan
and the government authorities will have to check these saboteurs in the
city.
The main hurdle in getting custody
of these terrorists is that India and Pakistan have not so far signed any
extradition treaty. Despite repeated appeals from India, Pakistan has not
shown any interest in such a treaty. However, in the changed atmosphere,
the Indian diplomatic move has put pressure on Pakistan to take action
against the terrorists and their organizations. The authorities have already
informed the Interpol asking for international alert against the dreaded
terrorists.
The Mumbai police are of the view
that once the Interpol has issued red alert against these fugitives, there
is no need on the part of the Indian government to provide any evidence
against these terrorists. The Interpol does not issue red alerts against
any one unless it is satisfied about involvement of these persons in serious
crimes.
The State government is not ready
to part with the sensitive information about the list. However, according
to the police the list includes Jaish-e- Mohammad chief Maulana Masood
Azhar, the five hijackers of the Indian airlines flight IC 814 and Mumbai's
underworld dons Dawood Ibrahim, Tiger Memon and Chhota Shakeel. Shakeel
and Tiger Memon are wanted by Mumbai police in the Mumbai serial blasts
case filed against them. Mumbai police have provided enough evidence in
the court against these two dreaded criminals at present enjoying Pakistani
hospitality in Karachi. Among the others, nine commanders of Hizbul Mujahideen
, three of Harkat- ul- Jihad- e- Islami and one each of Lashkar-e-Toiba,
Harkkat -ul -Mujahideen and Khalistan liberation Front.
Hizbul chief Syed Salahuddin who
is also chairman of the united Jehad Council,an amalgam of over a dozen
militant groups in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, is also on the list. Hizbul
is operating throughout the Jammu and Kashmir state and has struck even
in the national capital. This well-knit outfit operates by planting IEDs
and conducting assassinations of army and police officers and politicians
including a minister. The Hizbul outfit is reportedly having links in Mumbai
city and may activate its contacts for any kind of subversive action.
The Mumbai police are worried about
the growing links between ISI- sponsored terrorist groups and city's underworld
gangs. The ISI sleuths are recruiting persons from these underworld gangs
and using them for anti- national and espionage activities. It is very
difficult to differentiate between ISI recruits and underworld operatives.
These ISI operatives do not spare
even influential persons from Bollywood. Higher the person in social hierarchy,
more useful is his information. The recent arrest of Afroz by Mumbai police
from slums in Chita camp is a case in study. A local lad who was searching
for a job got involved into ISI racket and developed Al Qaida links, visited
many countries including Australia to take lessons in flying Boeing planes.
After all Mumbai is an international
city where anyone can take a shelter. Once a man crosses the emigration
desk and comes out of the airport or the port, he or she can get lost in
a minute and it will be a Herculean task to relocate these elements. This
poses a great challenge for Mumbai police known for their efficiency and
often in comparison with Scotland Yard police.
