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Israel designates LeT as a terror organisation to mark 15th anniversary of 2008 Mumbai attacks

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 21 Nov 2023, 06:31 pm

The Israeli government has designated Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as a terrorist organization, just days before India marks the 15th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attack.

"To symbolize the marking of the 15th year of commemoration of the Mumbai terror attacks, the state of Israel has listed Lashkar-e-Taiba as a Terror Organization," read a statement issued by the Israeli Embassy in India.

Israel said its government completed the action despite no such request from India.

"Despite not being requested by the Government of India to do so, the state of Israel has formally completed all necessary procedures and has satisfied all required checks and regulations to the result of introducing Lashkar -e- Taiba into the Israeli list of illegal terror organizations," read the statement.

"While Israel only lists terror organizations who are actively operating against it from within or around its borders, or in a similar manner to India - those globally recognized by UNSC or the US state department; the Israeli ministries of Defense and Foreign affairs, have jointly worked in the last few months towards an expediated and extraordinary listing of the Lashkar -e- Taiba organization on this date, to highlight the importance of a Unified Global Front in combating terrorism," the statement said.

Israel described LeT as a deadly and reprehensible terror organization.

"Its heinous actions on November 26, 2008 still reverberate in force, through all peace-seeking nations and societies," read the statement.

The 2008 Mumbai attacks were twelve coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across Mumbai by members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Ajmal Kasab, the only attacker who was captured alive, later confessed upon interrogation that the attacks were conducted with the support of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Kasab was hanged on Nov 21, 2012 at Yerwada Jail in Pune.

The attacks, which drew widespread global condemnation, began on Wednesday, Nov 26, 2008 and lasted until Saturday, Nov 29, 2008, killing 164 people and wounding at least 308.

Eight of the attacks occurred in South Mumbai - at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital (a women and children's hospital), the Nariman House Jewish community centre, the Metro Cinema, and a lane behind the Times of India building and St. Xavier's College.

Six Jews were among the 166 people killed in the attacks.

There was also an explosion at Mazagaon, in Mumbai's port area, and in a taxi at Vile Parle.