New Delhi says Pakistan must do more

Terming the elimination of al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden as a confirmation that Pakistan remains the epicenter of global terror, India demanded that those responsible for the November 26, 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai be handed over immediately.

The world's most wanted terrorist was killed on Sunday by US special forces in a helicopter-borne operation at Abbottabad near the Pakistani capital, bringing an end to the massive manhunt that took over 10 years.

The US government informed India that "bin Laden has been killed by security forces somewhere 'deep inside Pakistan'."

Without directly referring to Pakistan, Indian Foreign Minister S. M. Krishna said the operation to kill bin Laden was proof that India’s neighbor harbored terror groups.

"Historic development"

Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash read out the statement, saying this is "a historic development and victorious milestone in the global war against the forces of terrorism." He continued to say, "The world must not let down its united effort to overcome terrorism and eliminate the safe havens and sanctuaries that have been provided to terrorists in our own neighborhood."

In this context Home Minister P. Chidambaram also raised the subject of the November 26 Mumbai terror attack plotters still being in Pakistan and called upon the government to arrest the controllers and handlers of the terrorists who actually carried out the attack.

As questions continue to be raised of how bin Laden continued to enjoy shelter and escape attention all these years in Pakistan, the security establishment in India said it could not let its guard down.

Former army chief Deepak Kapoor said India’s worries were far from over, as "India specifically has been targeted time and again by the LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba)." He went on to say, "I do feel that though this is a major day for a war against terrorism, in India we need to look at it as just a step towards fighting terrorism."

No defeat to extremism

Other security analysts warn that the killing of bin Laden will not cause any damage to his al Qaeda terrorist organization as it does not represent the demise of al Qaeda affiliates who have and will continue to engage in terrorist attacks around the world, including India.

Rana Banerjee is a former officer from the Research and Analysis Wing of India’s external intelligence organisation. He says the Lashkar-e-Taiba is India's "main threat in Pakistan" and that the militant group continues to enjoy "the sanctuaries which are blessed by the (Pakistani) army." Banerjee fears "the apparatus will not be changed as al Qaeda has already developed regional networks and is now not dependent on top leaders."

Security has been beefed up across Jammu and Kashmir against any possible violent reactions to the killing. Police and army units are keeping a close eye on the situation in the troubled state, which has been a hotbed of militancy since 1989.

Author: Murali Krishnan
Editor: Sarah Berning