Mumbai-Linked Terror Crew Hunts Western Recruits

Lashkar-e-Taiba seen as stepping stone to al-Qaeda

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 8, 2008 9:52 AM CST

(Newser) – The Islamic militant group thought to be behind the Mumbai terror attacks has recruited Westerners, particularly Americans and Britons, to aid in planning and executing attacks, the Los Angeles Times reports. A 23-year-old Brit, convicted this year on terror-related charges, was among the Lashkar-e-Taiba adherents helping get converts to Pakistan for training before he was nabbed at a UK airport in 2006.

Aabid Khan was caught returning from Pakistan with a laptop full of terrorist propaganda, maps, manuals, and videos. One video included another young English-speaker who said he was from Los Angeles and appeared friendly with Khan. Recruits of Pakistan’s Lashkar-e-Taiba often “graduate” to al-Qaeda, including an Australian who pleaded guilty to supporting terrorism.

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Mumbai residents sit near the boat landing behind the Taj Mahal Hotel last week in Mumbai, which was open again after being closed in the wake of the November terror attacks. (AP Photo)

People light candles as flower petals lay in tribute during a vigil held outside the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai, Dec. 2, 2008. (AP Photo)

Policemen unload the body of a suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba rebel from a truck in Srinagar, India, July 21, 2008. (AP Photo)

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Newbie militants can make real contacts. They perceive that Lashkar-e-Taiba ... are below the radar. ... Lashkar is seen as a rung to get to al-Qaeda.
- Evan Kohlmann, independent investigator

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Mumbai-Linked Terror Crew Hunts Western Recruits