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SAFETY
By Dr.Donna
Why Mumbai Terrorism
Increases Our Vigilance for Safety
The recent terrorist attack on Mumbai
came as quite a shock to the
entire world. In this article, we find out
inside information about the incident
from William Cooper, anti-terrorism
expert and author of the book, Suicide
Terror: Confronting the Fear, and discuss
your personal safety.
Q: Mr. Cooper, did the professionals
on the anti-terrorism team in India, the
U.S. or any other country expect what
happened in Mumbai with the multifoci
attack?
A: There had been credible intelligence
shared with the Indian government, and
in some cases, the hotels themselves.
Q: Would you say that terrorist attacks
have been pretty predictable up til this
point?
A: They are predictable in the sense
that in many cases the terrorists themselves
will tell their intended victims
they will be attacked. They just don’t
tell them when or how the attack will
occur. In the years since 9/11, intelligence
agencies have grown their information
sharing to a fairly successful
level. In the cases of the United States,
there are very few people who don’t
believe we will be attacked again, so
in that sense attacks are predictable.
The when, where, and how are always
the unknowns. What is known is that
the terrorists continue to use the type
of attacks that have been successful for
them, so we may be aware that this may
be how we are attacked.
In the case of Mumbai, the attack paradigm
shifted significantly. We have been
used to the large scale, single event type
attack, such as a vehicle-borne improvised
explosive device or suicide bombers.
In Mumbai, the method of attack
shifted to a commando style, multiple
target approach, and while eenroute
to the targets, the terrorists attacked a
number of other venues. The intent was
to create considerable chaos and confusion,
supposedly to divert attention
away from the main targets, which were
the hotels and Jewish Center. This type
of attack makes it very difficult for first
responders to coordinate and react.
Q: So what you’re saying is that by
watching what the terrorists do in other
countries, it’s a good indication of what
they’ll try here?
A: Absolutely. What you see happening
overseas is likely the type of attacks we
will face in the United States.
Q: Many people seem to believe that
these attacks only occur elsewhere.
What’s your take on this? Isn’t it true
that the reason why these attacks aren’t
occurring here is because our Homeland
Security and citizens are keeping a
watchful eye?
A: Americans in many cases, due to their
own lives and commitments, do not pay
considerable attention to overseas attacks.
They make the news for a short
time, and it’s on to the next issue. 9/11
changed the fact that we can be attacked
here, but we see little about the number
and type of attacks that were interdicted
in the US prior to and after 9/11.
One case, in fact, is very similar to the
Mumbai attack, which was stopped in
New York City in 1993.
The attacks that have been stopped
since 9/11 have not occurred largely due
to our intelligence and law enforcement
agencies, and certainly to the diligence
and enhanced awareness by many of
our citizens. They reported unusual or
suspicious events and stopped an attack.
Q: What are the problems that result
when several different places in a close
geographic area are attacked simultaneously?
While being careful not to go into too
much detail here, we’ll simply say that
in a multi-agency response there are a
number of issues that will always exist.
Responders have been, and are, working
on remediation, but with multiple targets
over a sizeable geographic area, the
logistics in response and management
are significant.
Q: From the perspective of a civilian,
what can be done if an attack like this
occurs in Sacramento?
Rajabai Tower, clock tower in South Mumbai.
A: Be prepared. While Sacramento is
not a target-rich environment like other
cities, its citizens and business operators
need to be prepared. You need to
have a plan. What will you do, where
will you go, how will you know your
family is ok? You may rest assured that
in a major attack, travel will be difficult,
communications via phone or cell
phone near impossible, and your ability
to get from one place to another seriously
compromised. For a complete set
of planning templates, visit www.ready.
gov. Everything one needs to create and
have a plan exists here.
Q: Any closing comments?
A: There are few reasonable people who
do not expect an attack in the United
States. There is nowhere that is not
exempt. Al Qaeda, for example, has
stated they want to hit America where it
feels safest. Its goals are simple - inflict
massive economic pain, cause mass
casualties,and create terror. The best
defense is preparation.
For information on this topic or to contact
William Cooper about speaking to
your organization or conducting training
courses on terrorism and preparedness,
please contact him at 425-232-1025.
January Edition 2009
27