Terrorists use sea-route to avoid detection: US intl official

Washington, Jan 9 (PTI) A top US intelligence officials
has said that Pakistani terrorists, armed lethal weapons and
latest communications gadgets, entered India's financial
capital Mumbai -- for November 26 attack -- through sea route
to avoid any detection and "they were successful".

"The Mumbai attackers entered the city via the sea because
they believed it was the best route to avoid detection,"
Charles E Allen, Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis
and Chief Intelligence Officer of the US Department of
Homeland Security told a Congressional committee Thursday.

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government
Affairs convened a hearing on Mumbai terrorists attacks.

"Sea infiltration permitted the attackers to come ashore
with a substantial cache of weapons that might have been
detected during a land entry to the city. They were able to
locate precise landing points by using Global Positioning
System (GPS) for navigation," he said testifying before the
committee chaired by Senator Joseph Lieberman.

Analyzing the Mumbai attack in depth, Allen said the
terrorists and its perpetrators were able to ascertain
routines and its vulnerabilities of the security forces at the
primary targets during the pre-operational phase.

"The attackers were able to fend off the Indian response
force because they were heavily armed with automatic rifles
and grenades – the weapons of basic infantryman. The group
reportedly received extensive training that may have included
urban assault operations," Allen said.

In addition, the attackers used communication devices,
including satellite phones and cell phones to coordinate
movement activities, establish defensive positions, repel
rescuers and resist Indian efforts to suppress them.

"Also many of the security cameras installed inside the
hotels were not operational during the period of attack," he
added. PTI