Local Expert Discusses India's Attacks

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism is established of experts on counter terrorism.

David Cid, the deputy director of MIPT, is a 20-year veteran of the FBI. He spent 15 of those years specializing in counter terrorism.

News of the attacks in Mumbai spread quickly throughout the world, including to Cid.

"It's a prelude, I believe, to what we can expect here if we don't remain vigilant," Cid said.
Cid said vigilance is something India's security services are lacking.

He questioned why the country's security service didn't have inkling about the attack, considering the number of people involved.

"That tells me they don't have good penetration of these groups," Cid said.

He adds, many of the weapons caught on camera may have taken some time to acquire, but isn't difficult, and neither was the plan.

"Imagine sending 11 or your friends to 11 different locations in the city and telling them at the same time to take out their cell phones and call home," Cid said. "That's all the coordination you really need."

While investigators have not pinpointed exactly what group is responsible, Cid said whoever it was is part of a much larger Islamic Militant Network.

"Western interest and westerners are their primary target," Cid said. "They are sending us a message."

He called U.S. security services far superior to India's, but emphasized now is the time to keep vigilance.