Nearly 18 years after the deadly terrorist attack on Mumbai’s Chabad House, India has arrested a 20-year-old man suspected of gathering intelligence about the building. Full story
By COLlive journalist
Indian authorities have arrested a 20-year-old man suspected of surveillance of the Chabad House in Mumbai, nearly 18 years after the devastating terrorist attack that claimed the life of Rabbi Shluchim. Gaby And Rivky HoltzbergHYD.
The suspect, identified as Yash Singha resident of Airoli in Navi Mumbai, was arrested on Saturday, November 14, following intelligence reports suggesting that he was collecting sensitive information on Jewish institutions and individuals on behalf of foreign managers.
According to Indian media reports, including NDTV and The Times of India, Singh allegedly photographed sensitive locations, collected vehicle details and collected precise geographic information on Jewish residents, businesses and foreign nationals in Mumbai.
The investigation reportedly began after the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) received information about Singh’s alleged links with international criminal networks through social media.
Singh was first arrested by the ATS and then arrested by police in the southern Indian state of Kerala as part of an ongoing investigation under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
According to the Indian police, Singh was given the mission to carry out reconnaissance of sensitive places in Mumbai, in particular the Chabad House, also known as the Nariman House, in the Colaba district.
Investigators suspect he received payments to collect information and communicate with officials linked to criminal and extremist networks abroad.
The reported surveillance has caused particular concern because of its similarities to the intelligence-gathering operations that preceded the Mumbai terrorist attacks in November 2008.
Months before these attacks, David Headleya Pakistani-American operative working with the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba, conducted extensive reconnaissance of potential targets in Mumbai, including the Chabad House. His surveillance helped the terrorists plan their deadly assault.
On November 26, 2008, terrorists launched coordinated attacks in Mumbai, killing 166 people in three days.
At the Chabad House, terrorists murdered the rabbi and Mrs. Holtzberg, as well as four Jewish visitors. The Holtzbergs’ two-year-old son Uglysurvived after her Indian nanny, Sandra Samuelsbravely saved him from the building. He was then brought to Israel.
The latest arrest comes less than two weeks before the 18th anniversary of the massacre.
In response to this information, Chabad’s CWA Emergency and Safety Center is calling on Shluchim around the world to increase their vigilance and review safety precautions in their Chabad homes.
“This report reminds us how vigilance can save lives,” the organization said.
The warning follows a security presentation at Kinus Hashluchim International, where thousands of Shluchim watched a special video during Thursday evening’s general session highlighting Chabad’s efforts to protect Shluchim and Chabad homes around the world.
The presentation highlighted the importance of implementing security measures in Chabad institutions.
Indian authorities continue their investigation into Singh’s alleged links to foreign networks. Investigators have not publicly established that the suspect was involved in planning a specific attack on the Chabad House.
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