Hello Nazia: I find this article very interesting. We all know that terrorism is again a main issue in the international agenda, especially since 2001, and it is always hopeful to learn that actions are being taken against this dangerous threat. It is very interesting to know that Pakistan and India could finally be on the path of reaching a peaceful understanding as neighbours. I find it confusing, though, that these Pakistan’s actions have followed Kasab’s confesions. So I can’t help but wonder……In your opinion, is the Pakistan’s government really interested in cooperating with India against terrorism, or was their positive response only triggered by Kasab’s full confession?

Thanks Yamily. Excellent point you raised here. To be honest, there is a lot of trust deficit regarding the Pakistani government when it comes to counter terrorism. However, with their military operations being carried out in Swat, Buner, and their admission of the role of LeT in Mumbai attacks, the government is trying its best to prove its seriousness in the war agaist terror. I dont think Kasab's confession was the only trigger though, I suspect other forces, notably US, at play here also. Also factor in the public support for action against Taliban as a result of the atmosphere of fear created by suicide attacks in the cities. As per your question of whether Kasab's full confession triggered their positive response, I would think, if I was in the government, I would think of ways too to make such a ghastly situation better, and make the best of it. But whatever the cause of such action, it has certainly been a welcome development.

Hello Nazia.Its much too early to say anything about the fate of those who are arrested.Well its simply beyond ones imagination that how few terrorists managed to enter India and left Pakistan while both sides are heavily spending on their defense systems and specially on thier navies to counter rising influence of China.It is extremely difficult to undrstand that how few were able to travel hundreds of nautical miles from Karachi to Mumbai at a stretch when its humanly impossible to travel on a launch for so much hours since it takes a toll on their health, even for a trained sailor.........

I think there is something beyond the characters : India and Pakistan.......

hi Uzair. Thank you for your comment. You have raised quite a few interesting points vis-a-vis the defence expenditures of both countries. Also, the fact that the handful of these operatives travelled seaward, over considerable amount of time, that takes even trained sailors some patience, skill and energy. This does indeed call for a detailed analysis, and were it not the nature of sensitive information, perhaps both countries could have been prevailed upon to disclose details of such a professional, heartless attack on human lives. I would like to turn it around, and highlight the need for countries to curtail such professional operatives who can hold populations hostage to their devilry. As to the point you raise about players other than India and Pakistan being involved, such an angle has been raised time and again, but usually discredited as conspiracy theory. While it might hold some grain of truth in it, it only further highlights how important peace is for both countries, so that the immense dynamic of South Asia can be used for constructive purposes, rather than fomenting instability.

Hello Nazia. I want to share apprehensions diffrent from what you are discussing. The rising influence of Uhigurs in the western province of China and their military adventurism must be a source of concern for Pakistan and for those who influence the foriegn policy of government. It has been found that Taliban who are housed in FATA ,are patronizing the militant outfits of Uhigurs, providing them much needed moral and military support. This notion gets its strength from a news that, back in 2004 when Pakistan Army started thier operation in South Waziristan and more specifically in Angoor Adda , some hardened Uhigur militants were killed and captured which at that time was enough to  pacify Chinese . Recently there have been reports that Uzbek militants under the leadership of Tahir Yaldashev , a head of a banned Uzbek organization living in South Waziristan is providing logistic support to Uhigurs of China, who get thier training in safe sanctuaries of Wana.This will isolate Pakistan completely from world since it will force China to take a jaundiced view of the region. This is something needs to be discussed when China is strengthening its bilateral relations with India and Russia and is looking for safe routes, for import of energy to fuel its economy.Remember that China is investing heavily in the oil rich provinces of Iran.  China cannot afford disturbances in regions which abut thier borders because this will prove detrimental for them in the wake of present economic depression when its GDP has come down from 9.6% to 7.6%, although it sounds still high but see it in comparison to its huge population.

Hi Nazia, excellent post on a really interesting topic. First, in terms of the belief that foreign states have been sponsoring instability, there seems to be little concrete evidence to support this claim. It is not unusual for terrorist groups to consort with one another; especially complex organizations such as LeT. For example LeT training facilities in Afghanistan trained would-be terrorists from around the world in explosives, strategy and combat, and, if I remember correctly, LeT actually learned explosives techniques from the IRA. I suspect that this is more a case of organizational cooperation rather than governmental meddling.

More generally, it should come to no one's surprise that LeT was responsible for the Mumbai bombings after all, they were also behind the 2000 Red Fort attack and the failed 2001 Parliamentary attack. I use the term "cautious" because we have been down this road before. After the 2001 attack India began saber ratteling and mobilized over 500,000 troops along the Pakistani border. The situation got so tense that the United States had step in and force Pakistan to take action against Lashkar. Over a two week period 3,300 LeT members were arrested but the next month over half of them were released including Amir Hafiz Mohammed Sayeed. So I guess time will tell if Pakistan is serious about taking down LeT this time. However, given that Pakistan itself has now become a prominent LeT target, the government of Pakistan now has a vested interest in cracking down.

My only concern is that has probably replaced Al Qaeda as the most prominent terrorist organization in the world. They are extremely well funded, have compounds in several different countries, are well trained and strategically complex. Furthermore, they enjoy a large amount of support within Pakistan where over 200,000 people have turned out to a single LeT rally. No doubt LeT will retaliate against the Pakistani government for this crackdown and I worry that they could make an already unstable situation worse. It also needs to be asked, how much violence is Pakistan willing to bear in order to defeat groups like Lashkar. Unfortunately, things are probably going to get a lot worse before they get better.