Rumors surrounding the background and identity of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the only terrorist involved in Mumbai attacks captured alive by authorities, is swirling around the internet. This time along with India and Pakistan, Nepal’s name has been dragged in.
On December 15th, a Pakistani lawyer C M Farooque claimed [1] that in 2005 Kasab was “kidnapped” by Indian officials in Kathmandu with the help of Nepalese security forces to serve “ulterior plans” later.
“The advocate said he wrote letters to Pakistan and Indian governments in this regard. He said that he had also addressed a press conference in Nepal highlighting the issue in which he revealed that the Nepalese forces arrested Ajmal Kasab and many others and held them at an unknown place and that these people would be used for their ulterior designs at some later stage. He said that he had no contact with Ajmal Kasab ever since he disappeared.”
Farooque also claimed that Kasab was in Nepal in a business visa but the Indian officials took him away with an “ulterior” motive. He said that he was later contacted by Kasab’s parents to help find their son.
Pakistani and Indian Bloggers are discussing Farooque’s claim, with some skepticism, as Kasab himself has already come forward accepting his role in the attacks, his association in the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Toiba and his parents in Pakistan have also identified him.
Nepalese government has released a statement denying Farooque’s claim [2] of kidnapping:
“We have no such information,” home ministry spokesman Nabin Kumar Ghimire told IANS.
Although whether Kasab was actually kidnapped in Nepal by the Indian authorities is being strongly denied by both India and Nepal and very few seem to believe that in Pakistan, Nepal is getting serious flak for its inability to manage its border with India. The criticism is especially loud on the Indian side. The long, porous open border is seen by many as a serious security risk for both India and Nepal.
Ajit Chak at Merinews [3] writes:
“Considering the threat posed by the Lashkar and allied groups, especially after the events in Mumbai, one would expect the Indian and Nepalese governments to take steps to control the wild border with Uttar Pradesh, or at least demand cooperation from each other in managing the border.”
India is also being criticized on the wake of Mumbai attacks. Dr. Hari Bansha Dulal at Nepali Perspectives [4] says that India should examine its security policies:
“India's soft corner for those that raise arms against Nepali state did not end with its generosity towards the Maoists. It continues to provide safe heaven to armed secessionist groups that want to disintegrate Nepal. How is Pakistan's support to Jihadists that want to free Kashmir different from India's turning blind eyes on groups that have raised arms to seek secession? Armed struggle in Nepal will not survive without Indian benevolence.”
Along with the debate over Nepal and India’s policies and about Kasab’s identity, after Mumbai attacks internet is also being used by terrorists and their sympathizers to eulogize terrorists involved in the attacks. Times of India [5] reported that many chat rooms are filled with discussions on Lashkar-e-Toiba. Messages glorifying Mumbai terrorists attacks and spreading hate against America, Israel and United Kingdom is commonly seen on these chat rooms frequented by extremists.
“Some of these electronic terrorists, who also dole out information on how to join LeT, urge the outfit for similar strikes in the US and UK. Ajmal Amir Kasab and the nine others involved in the Mumbai attack are described as heroes.”