Mumbai on High alert after Paris attack

“Security has been augmented in all the iconic places, vital installations and vulnerable places across the city”. The eight terrorists of the Islamic State, armed with automatics and wearing suicide vests – who killed 127 people, injuring over 200 – reminded Mumbai of the 10 men who had seven years ago, launched a similar attack here.

“This kind of attack was first carried out in Mumbai and today it has been improvised in Paris”, said Bharti.

As terror struck Paris with shootings and bombings in two restaurants, Stade de France soccer stadium and concert hall at Bataclan, leaving over 150 people dead and many injured, one could not help but be reminded of similarly horrifying Black Friday in India’s history, the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. “A Mumbai-style attack with multiple teams simultaneously hitting different places”, Davis said. The coastal line of this part of the city was used by terrorists in 26/11 attacks.

Security at major railway stations, airports, commercial establishments like shopping malls, theatres has been stepped up, another senior officer of Mumbai Police said.

Security services have been braced for the threat of roaming gunmen and suicide bombers launching a strike in the United Kingdom since the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008. Several measures have been taken which can not be disclosed. “But we appeal to the public to report to us on 100 about any suspicious activity or unattended baggage that they may come across”.

Sources in the police also said that 12 speed-patrolling boats are manning the coastal line and the Navy is helping the police in the exercise.

He added, “These units need to be at the site of attack within three to five minutes, and be able to eliminate the terrorist immediately”. “Instructed DG to exercise utmost care and high alert to prevent any untoward situation”, tweeted the CM.

The counter-terror operations continued for 60 hours, with a lot of casualties suffered by the security forces, but they managed to kill nine and nab one terrorist alive (Ajmal Kasab). According to sources, almost half of the force is dressed in civilian clothing and is equipped with weapons.

The Mumbai attack was the “work of Lashkar-e Taiba (LeT), Riedel – a former CIA official – said, adding that it was supported by the Pakistani intelligence service ISI and al-Qaeda. Had our ground intelligence networking been efficient, the security agencies would have had prior information about the four Kalyan boys who had joined ISIS”, he said.