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How Mumbai's attackers were brainwashed

By Vicky Nanjappa
December 17, 2008 15:55 IST
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The ten terrorists, who brutally killed over 180 people in in Mumbai, had been brainwashed into believing that they were targeting enemies of Islam.

During their training, the terrorists were told that theirs was a fidayeen mission, and they had to continue the 'glorious tradition of the mujaheed (warrior).'

Abdur Rehman Makki, the second-in-command at the now banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah, had spelt out the fundamentals of a fidayeen attack to the terrorists. During the terrorists' indoctrination, he told them that the Lashkar-e-Taiyba had executed several fidayeen attacks in India.

During a fidayeen mission, a lone mujaheed takes on a large number of enemies, who have targeted his religion, all by himself, Makki explained to the terrorists.

He also outlined the tenets of a fidayeen attack:

  • Attack the enemy and inflict heavy loss
  • Force your way inside enemy territory, risking your life
  • Attack a strong enemy in a way that he faces sure death
  • Continue fighting until you attain martyrdom. This deed will earn you a place in paradise
  • Backing out from jihad will attract the wrath of Allah.
  • Investigators say Ajmal Kasab, the surviving terrorist now in the Mumbai police's custody, told his interrogators that fiery speeches delivered by Lashkar and JuD leaders convinced him to participate in the terror mission.

    Kasab is said to have broken down after he was shown photographs of the bodies of some of his dead accomplices.

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    Vicky Nanjappa