In late November 2008, 10 armed Pakistani men – little more than boys – went on a killing spree in the Indian city of Mumbai.
Members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, or “Army of the Righteous,” the youths carried out the attacks in order to spur the “liberation” of Muslims living under Indian rule in Kashmir.
Fareed Zakaria, CNN host and Newsweek International editor, is on camera for the beginning and ending and narrates throughout the documentary.
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z5NgA0Qwx94" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]The film does an excellent job of drawing in the viewer, following the rampage as it unfolded over many hours, often providing cell phone conversations between the gunmen and their controllers in Pakistan.
At least 170 people were killed and more than 300 wounded in the attacks.
The gunmen’s targets included two main hotels, a popular café, a Jewish center, and a major railway station. Video of the burning Taj Mahal Hotel was broadcast all over the world.
One thing this documentary shows is how inept and unprepared the Mumbai police were in responding to the attacks. Precious hours ticked away before commandos arrived on the scene.
Nine of the assailants were killed, leaving one, Ajmal Amir Kasab, who was videotaped while being interviewed at a hospital. Kasab tells of how he and his cohorts were to fight to the death to avoid capture.
He also said his controllers took him after paying off his father. Kasab said he and the other young men were promised paradise for their actions.
“Terror in Mumbai,” Which runs for 65 minutes, is currently airing on HBO.
Murphy can be reached at: [email protected]
