This is a really interesting piece about the training that the Mumbai terrorists received prior to the attack. There were at least four or five stages prior to receiving the operational information and setting out.
The first stage is very similar to military boot camp:
The second would be close to the second stage of basic military training on the use of the basic weapons including AK-47s and M16s:
The third stage veers slightly from our experience with military training in what seems to be a lesson in humility, but may also be for the purpose of exposing the trainee to other fighters with experience, or creating a sense of service to the cause, or to re-enforce the differences and honor given between those who fight (heroes?) and those who do not (a type of incentive for "glory" or "reknown"; peer pressure).
That service could also be a trial period to watch over the newly inducted and see if they are infiltraters. They may have been closely monitored to validate their trustworthiness before being assigned to a mission or receiving further training. Or, even to validate whether they can work with and follow orders. He indicates that not everyone "makes the cut". Are they turned away completely or are they given other assignments within the organization better suited to their capabilities? That could be interesting in following up with "rejecties" to determine how, who, where and when they are recruited.
After that, he was sent for what might be called "AIT" (advanced individual training) or even "marksmenship":
He also associated with seasoned fighters called Gazi (fighter, warrior, veteran?) and probably received additional peer re-enforcement and ideological training. At one point, he said they listened to anti-Muslim and anti-Kashmir speeches and received training from retired Pakistan military.
They also were treated to the terrorist version of "SERE" (which apparently doesn't work as well as they think or had the wrong focus):
Finally, prior to being sent to receive a briefing on their mission, they were given "maritime training" on how to handle or steer a boat, using GPS and compasses. According to this report, the 10 met for the first time in September where they were "briefed" on their mission. In another report, Kasab indicated that they were given a month off prior to going on the mission. In all likelihood, that month occured prior to the briefing since it would be too risky to operatoinal security to brief the members and then send them outside the group.
Regardless of what trust they might have engendered, it is simply too risky. At most, they might have known they were going on some mission from which they would not return and the time was to be a sort of "farewell" (as we found out about the 9/11 terrorists before they returned to the US to undertake the rest of their mission; one of the terrorists from 9/11 was married prior to returning for the suicide attack).
Further, the September date gives them approximately two months to prepare for the attacks including the original surveillence, memorizing city maps, maps of the targets and practicing together (buddy pairs or firing team as seen on videos), breaching rooms, setting explosives and other basic "team building" activities. Other Al Qaeda and LeT videos have shown terrorists undertaking similar training for "clearing a room." Previous reports indicate that some of the attackers had been to Mumbai 30 days previously disguised as students and another may have worked at one of the hotels as a chef's apprentice or other kitchen helper, providing video and hand drawn maps, number and station of employees, etc with other intel for the event.
According to Kasab, the training began about 11 months prior to the attack about the time that Benazir Bhutto was assassinated (December 2007).
On the former military officers training the terrorists, the Long War Journal indicates that the US is pushing the UN to declare four high ranking former Pakistan military and ISI commanders "international terrorists".
Which is why, when reading about Gul's and the others historical relationship with the Taliban, LeT and Al Qaeda, coupled with this obvious connection to the Pakistan government, it is not out of the way for India to claim that there is some sort of collusion between the Pakistan government and the terrorists who continue to attack India.
The first stage is very similar to military boot camp:
reveals that he underwent 21 days of physical training and Darsh-e-Quran (Quran recital) at a Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT) camp at Muridke in Punjab in Pakistan last year. This training programme was called Daura-e-Shufa (era of simplicity)[physical training].
The second would be close to the second stage of basic military training on the use of the basic weapons including AK-47s and M16s:
Following this, after a gap of one or two days, Ajmal, the only terrorist captured alive by the police, was sent to Manzera in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) for another 21-day training programme called Markaz-e-Taiyyaba (centre of pure). He was taught how to use automatic rifles, including AK-47s and M-16s, and pistols.
The third stage veers slightly from our experience with military training in what seems to be a lesson in humility, but may also be for the purpose of exposing the trainee to other fighters with experience, or creating a sense of service to the cause, or to re-enforce the differences and honor given between those who fight (heroes?) and those who do not (a type of incentive for "glory" or "reknown"; peer pressure).
On completing his arms training, he had to undergo two months of Khidmat (service) training — as a cook in the camp kitchen.
That service could also be a trial period to watch over the newly inducted and see if they are infiltraters. They may have been closely monitored to validate their trustworthiness before being assigned to a mission or receiving further training. Or, even to validate whether they can work with and follow orders. He indicates that not everyone "makes the cut". Are they turned away completely or are they given other assignments within the organization better suited to their capabilities? That could be interesting in following up with "rejecties" to determine how, who, where and when they are recruited.
After that, he was sent for what might be called "AIT" (advanced individual training) or even "marksmenship":
For the next two-and-a-half months, he received advanced training from ustads (teachers) in firing AK-47s, rocket launchers and mortars and was also taught how to use GPS systems and marine compasses.
He also associated with seasoned fighters called Gazi (fighter, warrior, veteran?) and probably received additional peer re-enforcement and ideological training. At one point, he said they listened to anti-Muslim and anti-Kashmir speeches and received training from retired Pakistan military.
They also were treated to the terrorist version of "SERE" (which apparently doesn't work as well as they think or had the wrong focus):
Apart from arms training, Ajmal and the other “students” were also taught how to withstand intensive interrogation and mislead interrogators. The methods were primitive and brutal — they were thrashed for several days during training to prepare them for “hostile interrogations”.
Finally, prior to being sent to receive a briefing on their mission, they were given "maritime training" on how to handle or steer a boat, using GPS and compasses. According to this report, the 10 met for the first time in September where they were "briefed" on their mission. In another report, Kasab indicated that they were given a month off prior to going on the mission. In all likelihood, that month occured prior to the briefing since it would be too risky to operatoinal security to brief the members and then send them outside the group.
Regardless of what trust they might have engendered, it is simply too risky. At most, they might have known they were going on some mission from which they would not return and the time was to be a sort of "farewell" (as we found out about the 9/11 terrorists before they returned to the US to undertake the rest of their mission; one of the terrorists from 9/11 was married prior to returning for the suicide attack).
Further, the September date gives them approximately two months to prepare for the attacks including the original surveillence, memorizing city maps, maps of the targets and practicing together (buddy pairs or firing team as seen on videos), breaching rooms, setting explosives and other basic "team building" activities. Other Al Qaeda and LeT videos have shown terrorists undertaking similar training for "clearing a room." Previous reports indicate that some of the attackers had been to Mumbai 30 days previously disguised as students and another may have worked at one of the hotels as a chef's apprentice or other kitchen helper, providing video and hand drawn maps, number and station of employees, etc with other intel for the event.
According to Kasab, the training began about 11 months prior to the attack about the time that Benazir Bhutto was assassinated (December 2007).
On the former military officers training the terrorists, the Long War Journal indicates that the US is pushing the UN to declare four high ranking former Pakistan military and ISI commanders "international terrorists".
News of the US move broke after Gul spoke to the Pakistani press about being added to the list. Gul "was informed of this by a highly responsible person, who had personally seen the written US request," The News reported.
The US intelligence official expressed concern that Gul still has access to such sensitive information. Gul's knowledge of the effort "is indicative that he still has friends in very high places."
Which is why, when reading about Gul's and the others historical relationship with the Taliban, LeT and Al Qaeda, coupled with this obvious connection to the Pakistan government, it is not out of the way for India to claim that there is some sort of collusion between the Pakistan government and the terrorists who continue to attack India.
