Enigma of 26/11 Mumbai Attacks: An Analysis of a Complex Conspiracy

Introduction

The 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks of 2008 remain etched in the collective memory as one of the darkest chapters in India’s history. This article embarks on an investigation into the perplexing circumstances surrounding the attacks, exploring the motives, alleged foreknowledge, the absence of retaliation, and the events leading up to that fateful day.

The 26/11 Attacks: Unraveling the Plot

Ten members of Lashkar-e-Taiba infiltrated Mumbai via sea routes, unleashing a four-day-long assault that claimed the lives of 175 people. However, the narrative took an unexpected turn when it was revealed that the terrorists operated under Hindu identities, possessing Hindu ID cards and sacred strings. Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving attacker, carried an ID card belonging to Sameer Choudhry.

The Twist: Orchestrated to Perfection

The attackers’ Hindu facade was a strategic ploy to sow confusion and present the assault as the handiwork of Hindu extremists. Swiftly, Pakistani media propagated that the attackers were Hindus or Sikhs, citing the presence of Kaleva (sacred thread) on their hands. Adding another layer to the plot, a pro-Congress journalist published a book titled “26/11, RSS Ki Sazish,” inaugurated by Congress leader Digvijay Singh and Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt.

Congress’s Complicity: A Puzzling Alliance

The alignment of narratives between the Indian Congress and the ISI raises eyebrows. Digvijay Singh, a prominent Congress leader and mentor to Rahul Gandhi at that time, played a pivotal role in endorsing the narrative of Hindu terrorism. This collaboration with Pakistan’s stance raises questions about Congress’s motives in declaring an attack orchestrated by Lashkar-e-Taiba as an act of Hindu terrorism.

The Backstory: The Karachi Project

The period from 2004 to 2009, known as the Karachi Project, witnessed a spate of bomb blasts in India, attributed to groups like Bhatkal Brothers, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e-Taiba. The Congress government, facing political pressure from the BJP’s Hindutva wave, sought to counteract it by framing a narrative of “Saffron terrorism.”

Notable incidents included the 2007 Samjhauta Express bombings, where an attempt to implicate the RSS failed, and the Ajmer Dargah and Malegaon blasts, where Hindus were falsely accused. The 2008 Malegaon blasts, implicating Sadhvi Pragya and Col Purohit, were later revealed to be a conspiracy orchestrated by Mumbai ATS under Congress’s orders.

US Intelligence Revelation: Foreknowledge or Negligence?

In 2013, US journalist Edward Snowden revealed that the CIA intercepted communications between Lashkar-e-Taiba and their headquarters in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, alerting Indian intelligence eight days before the attacks. The question arises: Was the Congress government aware of the impending threat, and if so, why was no decisive action taken?

Congress’s Failed Attempts: The Foiled Plan

Having failed thrice before to establish the concept of Hindu terror, the 26/11 plan was seemingly foolproof. However, the capture of Ajmal Kasab, a surviving attacker, disrupted the narrative. Questions surround the actions of Paramvir Singh, who reportedly confiscated Kasab’s mobile, adding another layer of mystery to the unfolding events.

Media Involvement: Accidental or Intentional?

Journalist Burkha Dutt’s live reporting during the attacks raises questions about whether she inadvertently or intentionally passed on sensitive information to the terrorists. Dutt, who received the Padma Shri from the Congress-led government in 2008, adds a layer of intrigue to the media’s role in the unfolding events.

Connections and Coincidences: Mahesh Bhatt, James Coleman Hadley, and WikiLeaks

Mahesh Bhatt’s involvement in inaugurating a book on RSS’s alleged involvement in the attacks, coupled with the connections between James Coleman Hadley (accused of Reiki in Mumbai) and Rahul Bhatt, Mahesh Bhatt’s son, raise eyebrows. The subsequent entry of Mahesh Bhatt’s daughter, Puja Bhatt, into Congress’s Bharat Jodo Yatra adds an unexpected layer of coincidence.

WikiLeaks revelations expose Rahul Gandhi’s assertion to the US Ambassador that the RSS posed a greater threat than Lashkar-e-Taiba. Meanwhile, P. Chidambaram’s warning of “Saffron terror” in 2010 and R.V.S. Mani’s allegations of the UPA government manufacturing a narrative about the presence of “Hindu terror” add complexity to the unfolding conspiracy.

The Curious Case of Inaction: Obama’s Surprising Observation

The conspicuous inaction of the UPA government in the aftermath of the 26/11 attacks is a surprise. Even former US President Barack Obama expressed surprise at India’s reluctance to take military action against Pakistan. Obama’s memoir, “A Promised Land,” cites fears of rising anti-Muslim sentiment influencing India’s decisions, particularly in light of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party’s growing influence.

Conclusion

As we reflect on the 15th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, this short investigation offers a nuanced perspective on the complex conspiracy that unfolded. The orchestrated attacks, false narratives, and political maneuvering have left a lingering cloud of uncertainty. While the article refrains from imposing a particular narrative or blame, it urges readers to analyze the events and form their own conclusions. As we remember the lives lost during those fateful days, it is essential to seek a comprehensive understanding of the events that transpired and the factors that shaped them. The intricate conspiracy involving false identities, manipulated narratives, and political agendas has far-reaching implications for India’s history.