Osama Dead

Osama Dead

Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden may have been killed near a Pakistani military establishment in Abbottabad but it will not be of major help to India which is pursuing extradition of masterminds of several terror attacks, including the 26/11 Mumbai strikes, say security experts.

"I don't think there will be any impact on India. We can only clap from sidelines," A S Dulat, former chief of Indian External Intelligence agency RAW, said.

Agreeing with him another former Special Secretary of RAW Rana Banerjee said on a TV channel that India may be able just to score "some brownie points" vis-a-vis Pakistan with Laden's killing in that country.

Former High Commissioner to Pakistan, G Parthasarathy, too said that today's development will be of "no" help to Indian efforts seeking custody of several terrorists like Maulana Masood Azhar who planned Parliament attack, Hafiz Saeed who masterminded 26/11 Mumbai terror attack and Dawood Ibrahim who orchestrated 1993 Mumbai bombings.

Security experts feel the fact, that al Qaeda founder was hiding in Pakistan's affluent neighbourhood Abbottabad which also houses key Pakistan Army establishments, Pakistan Military Academy and farm houses of several retired senior military generals, exposes Pakistan's double speak on terrorism.

Parthasarathy said for 10 years, Pakistan denied that Osama was on their soil. "He has now been killed in Abbottabad in the heart of military cantonment in a building with six family members surrounded by residences of Pakistan Military officers. Obviously he was guest of Pakistan military.

"India should be very clear if Pakistan harbours world's most wanted terrorist, will it take action against Hafiz Saeed, Maulana Masood Azhar and Dawood Ibrahim," he said.

Parthasarathy said, "We have to devise appropriate covert measures to deal with these people (terrorists). We cannot depend on Pakistan's goodwill or Pakistani generosity in dealing with terrorists who find safe haven in Pakistan." He, however, clarified that by covert measures he did not mean action by special forces on the lines of the US.

Some experts, who did not wish to be quoted, said India does not have same options as United States for "various reasons" and it should continue to build pressure through diplomatic channels to bring to book individuals who have masterminded attacks on the Indian soil.

Former Intelligence Bureau Chief Ajit Doval was of the view that today's killing of al Qaeda Chief may trigger some action by Pakistan's terrorist groups in India. "There is need for India to understand it is a very major development in contemporary terrorist movement. This can take very dangerous forms, one of them possibly could be some of the Pakistani terrorist groups aligning themselves more closely with al Qaeda ideology and targeting India in pursuance of their jihadi agenda," he said.

Doval also suggested India should be cautious of emerging threats and develop its strategies to tackle them.

"India needs a very comprehensive and imaginative strategic plan and tactical capacities to counter the move and emerging threats. The threats may particularly compound if Pakistan continues to adopt the dualistic policy of fighting terrorism for global consumption and supporting them for furthering its hidden agenda," he said.