The Emergent Challenges for Policing Terrorism: Lessons from Mumbai

On November 26, 2008 ten armed terrorists from Lashka-e-Toiba utilised military assault style tactics to attack a number of establishments including restaurants and hotels in the city of Mumbai, India. This new attack paradigm indicated a significant shift in tactics from the placement of improvised explosive devices or deployment of suicide bombers, and contains valuable lessons for contemporary law enforcement particularly with regard to intelligence, response, and media management. There are few agencies currently geared to deal with the sheer scope of an event involving trained terrorists well versed with small team tactics, heavily armed and equipped conducting operations in any major city. This attack paradigm clearly presents unique challenges to police who will be tasked to respond to these types of incidents, particularly given the training and weaponry that will be deployed against them.