NSG chief names Al-Qaeda behind 26/11, clarifies later

Did Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terror network have a hand in the unprecedented Mumbai terror attacks?

It appears so if NSG director general JK Dutt's assessment is a pointer.

"The Mumbai terror attack was an audacious attempt by the Taliban, al-Qaeda and LeT combine to shape policies of three sovereign nations that include the oldest and the
largest democracy," Dutt said in his inaugural speech at an international seminar being organised by National Bomb Data centre.

"There is growing concern over the convergence of the objectives of terrorist organisations such as al-Qaeda and LeT. The Mumbai terror attack of November 26 last year represents this convergence of interests," Dutt said.

But Dutt's remarks which was aired on television is reported to have not gone well with the Union home ministry officials on the ground it could be seen as sensationalising
the attack by bringing in Al-Qaeda's name.

Immediately, the NSG machinery swung into action for an apparent damage control. The director general of the force himself is reported to have called the television reporters present at the seminar being held at Manesar, near here, to "issue a clarification" saying his comments were in the context of global scenario of terrorism.