It’s not just the Indian security agencies that seem to have learnt a lesson from the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. But Pakistan-based terrorist outfits too have studied the incidents in great detail to plug the loopholes in their modus operandi.
According to a recent classified report prepared by the Central intelligence agencies, details of which have been accessed by this newspaper, terror outfits are now conducting elaborate training sessions for their fidayeen squads (suicide squads) to handle “Indian interrogators” in case they get caught.
The report that deals at length with preparedness of the intelligence agencies post the Mumbai carnage states that, “militant groups strongly felt that the Mumbai terror accused Ajmal Kasab revealed a lot of information to the Indian security agencies during his custodial interrogation”.
“This caused considerable embarrassment to Pakistan at international forum apart from unearthing the entire conspiracy. As Kasab was part of a fidayeen squad he was not supposed to be caught alive and thus was not very well prepared to handle sustained questioning, even though he had been given some basic training by his handlers,” the report states. Following the 26/11 terror attacks the militant outfits made it mandatory for all their fidayeen squads, particularly those roped in for key missions, to undergo a training to handle custodial interrogation. As part of their training, the report adds, the terrorists are trained to handle both mental and physical aspects of interrogation and how to put investigating agencies on the wrong track.
“These hardened terrorists are put through rigorous sessions to ensure that they don’t break down even during torture by the security agencies,” a senior intelligence official said. Sources claim that officials, both from the Pakistani Army and the ISI, are also involved in this exercise and helping out terror groups.
“To train militants for this, it requires a highly-specialised training. So, obviously the militant groups cannot do it themselves and are being helped by experts,” the official added.
Kasab’s disclosures had helped security agencies to prepare a fool-proof chargesheet.