Mumbai attacks: City fears five terrorists are ‘missing’

Rhys Blakely
Times Online
December 1, 2008

At least five terrorist gunmen have evaded capture in Mumbai and could make a secondary strike on India’s financial capital, it was feared this morning.

• A d v e r t i s e m e n t

Indian security forces are officially claiming that just ten militants – nine of whom were killed and one caught alive – were behind a co-ordinated terror attack that claimed nearly 200 lives.

However, the hijacked Indian fishing boat used by the gunmen to approach Mumbai, the crew of which were also slaughtered, had equipment for 15 men on board when it was discovered adrift off the city shore – suggesting that several gunmen could still be at large.

“Fifteen jackets were found, 15 toothbrushes even,” one police source said. “That more men were involved is possible.”

One theory being pursued by local investigators is that the missing men were involved in preparing for the attacks, by organising logistical support and carrying out reconnaissance work. Security experts say that it is conceivable that a force of just ten armed men could carry out an operation of the scale of the Mumbai strike, but only if they received extensive training and support from elsewhere.

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This article was posted: Monday, December 1, 2008 at 10:23 am

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