Jihadi Attack on Kenya
In Kenya’s capital Nairobi, Islamic terrorists carried out an attack similar to 26/11 attack in India. On September 21, around 15 to 20 Islamic terrorists, armed with grenades and AK 47s stormed the Westgate Mall of Nairobi and started a killing rampage. For almost four days, till September 24, the Kenyan forces fought a fierce battle with these terrorists to recapture the mall. Since September 22 Israeli commandoes also joined and helped Kenyan forces to fight the terrorists. The attack was carried out by the Somali terrorist organisation al-Shabaab, which is believed to be connected with al-Qaeda.
The Islamic terrorists asked Muslims present in the mall to leave and then started throwing grenades and firing AK 47 on the remaining non-Muslims. Many were asked to tell the name of ‘Prophet Mohammad’s’ mother, those who failed to answer were shot. Even women and children were not spared. More than 72 people are killed in the 4 day long operation including 61 civilians, 6 defence personal and 5 terrorists; almost 200 people are injured. The number of dead could be more as the rubbles of the wrecked mall are being cleared and many bodied are feared to be buried in them. Around 10 terrorists are arrested.
The terrorist outfit al-Shabaab originated around early 2000s as a military wing of Islamic Courts Union (ICU) which wanted to take over Somalia and establish an Islamic regime there. Al-Shabaab is believed to have a membership of estimated 5,000 militants. It has carried out this attack as a retaliatory step against the U.S.-Kenyan military operations in Somalia which are fighting Islamic Terrorist groups there. A year ago Kenyan forces backed by US managed to expel al-Shabaab from its last strongholds in Southern Somalia. The current attack on part Israeli owned ‘Westgate’ Mall is believed to be an attempt of al-Shabaab to prove that they still are a force to be reckoned with. Through ‘Twitter’ the group took the responsibility of the attack. Among the terrorists there were Americans and British nationals and a woman too. Although al-Shabaab has denied this through ‘Twitter’.
Three Indians Killed: Three Indians including an eight year old kid were killed by the terrorists. According to reports one Indian was shot because he wasn’t able to tell the name of ‘Prophet Mohammad’s’ mother. At least 18 foreigners are killed including citizens of UK, Canada, France, Australia etc.
