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Were terrorists British?
SECURITY forces were last night looking into claims that at least two British nationals were among the gunmen who killed more than 150 people in the terrorist massacre in Mumbai.
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India's Chief Minister has said that two of the captured terrorists were of British-Pakistani origin amid reports that up to seven Britons could have been involved in the attacks – including men from Bradford, Leeds and Dewsbury.
It is understood that identification has been discovered on several gunmen which could link them to West Yorkshire.
There were also reports that the terrorists were using Blackberry mobile phones to monitor reaction to the attacks in the English news media and on Arabic sites said to be very popular in the North of England.
India's Chief Minister, Vilasrao Deshmukh, claimed yesterday that two British nationals were among eight men taken alive after commandos stormed two hotels and a Jewish centre to rescue hostages as the battle to free Mumbai raged on.
British security officials said none of the attackers' nationalities had so far been confirmed while Prime Minister Gordon Brown told the Yorkshire Post last night that there had been no suggestion from Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that there was any British involvement in the attacks. Mr Brown stressed inquiries into the massacre were continuing.
He said: "I talked to Prime Minister Singh a few hours ago and at no point did he say to me that there was an issue about British born or British passport holders in this investigation.
"Obviously there's a lot of work to be done in the inquiries that have still got to take place. Some of the work by the police in clearing up what's happened in the hotels is not yet completed so we'll have to wait until further evidence becomes available, but that's certainly not what Prime Minister Singh was telling me."
The Prime Minister vowed to be vigilant in helping the Indian authorities and making sure Britain supports the fight against terrorism around the world.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith also said UK authorities had "no knowledge" of any British links with the massacre.
Unconfirmed reports last night said several of the terrorists were from the Leeds and Bradford area while it was also claimed that identification found on some of the gunmen showed they had links with Dewsbury.
All four of the London bombers who carried out the murderous attacks on July 7, 2005 were from West Yorkshire and last night's reports raised fears that the region has produced more terrorists.
Bradford West Labour MP Marsha Singh said: "If there is a British involvement that is diabolical. This was not just an attack on India but on the entire world."
The co-ordinated attacks were launched late on Wednesday when terrorist gunmen raided sites across the city.
More than 150 people including wealthy British businessmen Andreas Liveras have been killed, with another 370 – including eight Britons – injured.
The Foreign Office emergency number for people in Mumbai who need assistance is (0091) 11 2419 2288.
Those in the UK who are worried about friends or relatives are advised to contact the FCO on 020 700 800 00.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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