Mumbai attack provided template for mall attack in Kenya

NEW DELHI: As India awaits more details into the weekend terror attack in Kenya that has claimed three Indian lives so far, officials in New Delhi are drawing similarities in the attack on Nairobi's upscale Westgate mall with the 2008 Mumbai attacks, citing the choice of a high-profile target frequented by foreign nationals and the holding of hostages.

Government officials monitoring the terror attack in Nairobi pointed out that the attack was different from earlier strikes carried out by Somalia-based terror outfit Al Shabaab. More than 10 terrorists entered the mall from multiple entries on Saturday, opened fire and took shoppers as hostages. The attacks in Mumbai on November 26, 2008 were launched by the Laskhar-e-Taiba (LeT) in a similar fashion across top city hotels where foreigners frequented. Expatriates including Americans, Israelis, British nationals and Indians frequent the Westgate mall.

Al-Shabaab, which has targeted Kenya for sending troops to Somalia, claims that the Nairobi attack was planned for long and its militants were properly trained for it. The LeT's strategy before launching Mumbai attacks was uncannily similar. Al-Shabaab gave updates on its Twitter as the attack happened.

The attack had claimed 62 lives by Monday evening, with the siege entering the third day. Besides the three casualties, four Indians are injured.

Kenya has some 70,000 Indian origin people. Indians are also present in Ethiopia, Uganda, Nigeria and South Africa.

Both Indian private and public sector are increasing their presence across Western, Eastern and Southern African countries. India is also a strong development partner for Africa and is working with Japan and the USA on projects in the continent. India is also closely working with East African countries to combat piracy.

There were fears that Indians and Indian assets in Africa could be targeted in future with rise of extremism in the continent, officials said.

According to international news reports, the new face of global terror is likely to be Africa as the US remains focused on threats from West Asia and South Asia. Mali, in North Africa, is fast becoming a breeding ground for Al Qaeda.

An Al Qaeda affiliate -- Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which was part of last year's attack on the US consulate in Libya has established strong presence in Northern Mali.