2001 INDIAN PARLIAMENT ATTACK

2001 INDIAN PARLIAMENT ATTACK

 DATE AND TIME PUBLISHED: 16/6/2021 (WEDNESDAY), 11.32AM

WRITTEN BY: KAM2284D

1. NOR NADIA BINTI AZMAN (2020899318)

2. INTAN NAZIFA BINTI JONID (2020899312)

3. SITI NAJIHA BINTI SHAIFUL NIZAM (2020862062)

4. MUHAMMAD ILHAM BIN MOHD AZHARI (2020608314)

5. AZREEN SHAHIRA BINTI MD ASRI (2020483726)

 

Topic: 2001 Indian Parliament Attack

 

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The 2001 Indian Parliament attack was a terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament in New Delhi, India on 13^rd December 2001. The perpetrators were members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), the two group of people raised by Pakistan where they are from terrorist organization. These two groups of terrorists having the same ideologies, aims and motives where they are known as an Islamic extremist.  On December 13, 2001, five heavily-armed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists stormed the Parliament complex in New Delhi and opened fire (Staff, 2013). During that attack which twelve people, including the five terrorists who attacked the building, were killed (GlobalSecurity.org, 2006).

The terrorist targeting the parliament building, the attacker using mass shooting and suicide bombing to attack Parliament of India in New Delhi, India. More than 100 people, including key politicians, were inside the parliament building at that time. The gunmen used fake identity stickers on the cars they were driving and thus breached security deployed around the parliament complex. The terrorists carried AK47 rifles, grenade launchers, pistols and grenades to attack the Indian Parliament (Rediff.com., 2001). Terrorism in India, according to the Home Ministry, poses a significant threat to the people of India. Compared to other countries, India faces a wide range of terror groups. Terrorism found in India includes Islamic terrorism, separatist terrorism and left-wing terrorism. India is one of the countries most impacted by terrorism (Maryland, 2021).

 

2.0 2001 INDIAN PARLIAMENT ATTACK (WHAT, WHY, WHERE, WHO)

On the date of 13^th December 2001, a total of five terrorist fully armed known as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba rushed the complex of Parliament located in New Delhi. The groups of terrorists begun shooting randomly. This chaos had led to a total number of 14 death which includes a civilian. These groups of terrorists are believed to be from Pakistan (Desk, 2019). The objective behind this terrorist attack was to control the Parliament House (Mohd. Afzal Kumhar and Anr v. State, 2009).

            The attack by the groups of terrorists occurred on 13^th December 2001 during morning hour. A total number of five terrorist went into the House Complex of Parliament at estimated 11.40 am in the morning by using the ambassador model car equipped with the sticker of Home Ministry on the car. However, the members of the Parliament House Watch as well as staff of Ward became suspicious as the car entered Building Gate Number 12. Due to this suspiciousness, the car which included the terrorists was asked to turn back in a forceful manner. The car then went out of control as it hit the vehicle belonged to the Vice President, Krishan Kant. The terrorist then launched the open fire. During this time, the security alarm in the Parliament compound was alerted which led to all the entrances and exits to be closed. The open fire activity lasted for approximately thirty to forty-five minutes. One of the extremists managed to reached Gate Number 1 and this extremist was known as the human bomb. This extremist managed to blew himself up. Later, the body was found incomplete without legs and arms.

From the open fire incident, a total of all five terrorist were killed as well as a total of eight security officials and a gardener. The five dead terrorists are known as Mohammad, Raja, Haider, Rana and Hamza. A total number of minimum 15 to 22 people were injured as well in the aftermath of the open fire. All the ministers and Members of Parliament in the Parliament were reported to be untouched (Desk, 2019).  The members of Parliament were trapped in the building and later escorted with the help of security officials to the zones for VVIP. Later, the members of Parliament were escorted to evacuate the buildings and other units such as National Security Guard Commandos as well as authorities in charge of the bombs were requested to enter the Parliament buildings. This is to detect any explosions planted. The authority in charged for the explosives managed to set off a few grenades (Rai, 2020).

            According to the Home Minister, L K Advani, made a claim with evidence that the terrorist activity held in the Parliament House were initiated by Pakistan based terrorist groups which are Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. The home minister then added that the attack is the most alarming activity of terrorism in the history of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism located in India (Desk, 2019). The terrorist that attacked the Parliament was claimed to be dead and the associates with Indian people have successfully arrested. A few days after the incident, the Delhi Police managed to arrest a total number of four suspects whom were believed to be associated with the Parliament Attack in 2001. The suspects that were held by the police successfully were due to leads shown based on records of cellphone and the usage of car. The suspects arrested were Mohammad Afzal Guru, a former member of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, Husain Guru, Afsan Guru as well as a lecturer from Delhi University known as Geelani. Upon the arrest, the suspects that were executed to death were Geelani, Afzal and Shaukat. Afsan on the other hand was acquitted or freed by the trial court (Desk, 2019). Geelani however was acquitted by the Supreme Court and died due to cardiac arrest (India, 2019).

            The main conspirator behind the 2001 Parliament attack was Mohammed Afzal Guru. It was believed that Afzal Guru was the connector between the terrorist groups. The five terrorists whom attacked the Parliament had made a communication with Jaish-e-Mohammed at 12^th and 13^th of December. In the month of October 2001, Afzal placed rooms for both terrorists which were Mohammed and Haider in Colony of Christian located in North Delhi and these rooms were just a few kilometers away from Afzal’s house. The other three terrorists were also given rooms. Here, identity cards which were fake were given to the terrorists in order to execute the attack. The weapons used during the Parliament attack was supplied by Mohammed Afzal from Srinagar. A vehicle called white ambassador was purchased by Afzal from Lucky Motors. This vehicle was equipped with red-beacon in order to make it look like a public official’s vehicle. A week before the attack, the explosives were purchased from Khari Baoli (Rai, 2020).

 

3.0 REVIEW

3.1 CHALLENGES

3.1.1 There was No Effort from Both Pakistani Government and Indian Government in Settling the Issue.

The ongoing conflict between both countries of Pakistan and India has been drag for so many years. It can be said there was too little efforts taken in order in combating with the problem caused by the terrorist group. Although the case has received wide coverage and strong criticism towards government, but still no effort and even in this case, there is no further discussion from both sides in resolving the issues. It is as if the issue has never happened. But this is not possible due to the lack of diplomatic relations or the indifference of the Pakistani government towards Indian government. Thus, the speculation regarding the indifference towards the Indian government by the Pakistani government is getting stronger.

3.1.2 Weak security system

During the attack, 9 people were killed including security guards. Having a group of terrorists easily enter the Parliament shows that the security system there was weak. It was fortunate that the group of terrorists’ timings was off and if it not many of the India’s senior political leader and officials may be killed on that day which will cause uproar in the country which will force the Government of India to strike back. This can be considered as extraordinary attack as the planned that been made by Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed was targeting important people of the country to be murder to caused huge conflicts. The security system is important in order to maintain peace therefore, having such a weak system will not bring anything good for its surrounding.

3.2 SIGNIFICANCE

    The interest contained in the issue of the attack that took place in 2001 in the first Indian parliament was to subdue the Indian administrative system. As we know, India and Pakistan have not so good and strained relations. Based on the attacks that took place in the parliament has involved Pakistan, Delhi Police officials said that gunmen received instructions from Pakistan and the operation was carried out under the guidance of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency.

    This indicates that mutual relations between India and Pakistan have led to this incident. If it is true that this incident is highly despised by the Pakistani government, why did they not take any action against the criminals immediately. Therefore, this incident also seems to be meant to show that Pakistan is greater than India.

    Furthermore, Cathy Scott-Clark and Adrian Levy state that then-CIA station chief Robert Grenier and Ambassador Wendy Chamberlin suspected that the ISI had approved the attack in order to force the redeployment of troops under the command of Ali Jan Aurakzai away from the Durand Line, allowing Osama bin Laden to escape into Pakistan during the Battle of Tora Bora. Wanting to force the relocation of the team under the command of Ali Jan Aurakzai has led further the case from happening because it has the support of a organizations that has a lot of funds.

 

3.3 FACTORS

3.3.1 Weak Security in Indian Parliament Building

A weak security system where the security guards on duty during that time in the parliament building were not aware to the arrival of terrorists who used fake stickers to enter the Indian parliament building (indianexpress, 2019). As a security guards, they are need to be aware and constantly monitor the movements of people who are entering and exiting the parliament building. This is the way to ensure the attack cannot be happened and the lives of people cannot be threatened by terrorist who are entering to the parliament building with the fake stickers. The security guards need to look at the stickers more carefully and closely, so that the problems of the 2001 war do not recur. On the other hand, the security guard who are on the duty need to be alert and aware by looking to the CCTV regularly. The terrorist gang is smart and fast, once one path is blocked, they try to find another path. So, the security guards or police working there need to unite again in controlling, monitoring and dealing with their responsibilities with full integrity by acting in carrying out their duties strictly to those who come in and out of parliament.

3.3.2 The Motive of Group Terrorist

A war or an attack that takes place, is something unpredictable and we ourselves do not know what the ideology or motive of the terrorist is. One of the factors why attacks take place is, the terrorist wants to meet their ideology, motive, aim, purpose and objective. That is why attacks can happen because they want to expand its spread about religion in a violent and aggressive way. The perpetrators were members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), where they are having the same motive, aim and objective to attack Indian Parliament Building. Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) is a Pakistan-based radical organization founded in the late 1980s operating in the Indian states of Kashmir and Jammu. One of the objectives is to force the entry of Indian administered Kashmir into Pakistan and to create two Islamic-controlled states, in the North and in the South of India. Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) activities include suicide bombings and armed attacks on civilians, government officials and Indian security forces (Canada, 2019). The group is also alleged to have links to Al Qaeda.

Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) founded in early 2000, this organization is an Islamist extremist group based in Pakistan. Its objectives are to absorb the Indian-administered areas of Jammu and Kashmir into Pakistan and ultimately establish an Islamist state in the country. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) is committed to using indiscriminate terror tactics to achieve its objectives, including targeting foreigners and political representatives of foreign states (Canada, 2019). These two groups of terrorists are an Islamic extremist which is they are having the same ideology and motive. Political ideology as defined by the British government which understands Islamic extremism as a form of Islam that opposes “democracy, the rule of law, individual freedom and mutual respect and tolerance of different beliefs and convictions”.

 

3.4 THE IMPACTS OF THE 2001 PARLIAMENT ATTACK IN NEW DELHI

3.4.1 Security in Parliament Area is Enhanced

            The Parliament attack in 2001 shows that the security system in the Parliament was full of flaws. If the security was flawless no such attack will exist in the first place. In order to prevent any future attacks by the terrorist, the security system needs to be enhanced or upgraded. Since the 2001 attack, the procedures in dealing with security management have been improvised or introduced a new one in order to combat with terrorism issues especially in dealing with the terrorist modus operandi that poses an extreme danger towards the Parliament. The coordination in security management of the Parliament is between Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Intelligence Bureau, Delhi Police, Special Protection Group, National Security Guards and Parliamentary Security Service (Rai, 2020).

            The security measures are very tight when it comes to entering the Parliament complex. In order to enter the Parliament compound, a thorough authorization, identification, verification is needed from the individuals who would want to enter the Parliament compound. This action is done with the security devices that are modern. The outer area of the Parliament is also heavily secured. The Parliament Duty Group (PDG) which consist of a total number of 1500 armed officials has the role to ensure the security in the outer area of the Parliament. This group of officials also need to ensure the overall safety of the Parliament area. This includes the main house of Parliament, house annexe of the Parliament, reception as well as the Parliament library called Sansadiya Gyanpeeth. The Parliament Duty Group is not standing alone as it is being helped by Parliamentary Security Service (PSS) in order to ensure the safeness of members of Parliament, VVIPs as well as other visitors. Other agency such as the National Security Guards (NSG) also helped in ensuring the Parliament peace and this agency is fully equipped with modern devices and weapons that are new.

            When it comes to ensuring the security on the road side, commandos of Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) of Delhi as well as units in charge of bomb detections are placed on the road. These two authorities will monitor every road that leads to the complex of the Parliament. The parliament is under the surveillance of the CCTV all the time. Authority that is in charge of shooting is known as sharpshooters are placed in places that are strategic and on standby all the time. One order and the sharpshooter will release the bullet to the suspect. The security officials will be recognizing the ministers and members of parliament as well as their assistants, reporters, clerks and any authorized party that is allowed to enter the Parliament compound (Rai, 2020).

3.4.2 Introduction of New Enacted Act Called the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA)

            The incident of 2001 Parliament Attack by groups of terrorists shows that the previous existing law to cope with terrorism is not effective as it failed to stop the terrorist from attacking the Parliament. Due to this, an Act has been introduced and implemented in June 2002. The Act is known as “The Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) 2002”. This was one of the initiatives in order to support the operations of anti-terrorism in India. Among the important features included in POTA was the suspected individual can be in detention for maximum 180 days without having to file charges through courts. Next, protects the witnesses by hiding their identities. Moreover, the Act allows treating a confession as an admission of offence to the police. Under this POTA act, approximately 800 individuals were held in jail. The largest area that contributed to the number of arrests can be seen in Jharkhand state. However, POTA was revoked in 2004 due to the misuse of the Act (Rai, 2020).

3.4.3 Standoff between India and Pakistan

            The 2001 Parliament attack in New Delhi India was claimed to be from Pakistan based terrorists which were Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. However, the government of Pakistan denied this claim, whereby, the attacks were not caused by the any groups based in Pakistan. Due to not meeting this mutual agreement and claim between India and Pakistan, a number of politicians from India urged the government of India to take actions against Pakistan. The Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee through its administration have placed an order regarding the military mobilization and requested for the Pakistan to remove the groups of militants that operates against the state of India from the territory of Pakistan as well as Kashmir. The Prime Minister of India made a statement, whereby, the act of terrorism will be taken further action and military officials or force will be the option to consider. As a respond towards the India government, Pakistan also decided to prepare its army in the army mobilization. Thus, the army from both sides are facing one and another in the area of Line of Control located in Kashmir (Lavoy & Rana, 2002).

            The government of India have decided to further this action with stopping transportation such as train and bus services between India and Pakistan. The air assets from Pakistan were also banned from using the air space in India. Economic activity such as trade activity between the two countries is no longer active. Pakistan decided to cut the diplomatic staff located in New Delhi as a respond towards India (Lavoy & Rana, 2002).

            During the meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), both the Prime Minister of India and Pakistan had attended this meeting which was held in Nepal. The Foreign Minister from these two states were also present during the summit of SAARC. A statement has been made by these two states to the media claiming of wanting a reconciliation and the defuse of crisis. Pakistan have led the first move by asking for dialogue resumption from India. The Prime Minister of India, Vajpayee, have set several grounds in order for the talk resumption to happen. First, the arrest and deportation of a total of 20 individuals which consist of the Indian locals staying in Pakistan. Second, India demanded for Pakistan to close any assistance to terrorist operating from Pakistan whether directly or indirectly such as the closure of training camps and arms supply routes. Third, a clear and categorical renunciation of terrorism towards all manifestations (Lavoy & Rana, 2002).

            Due to the ground laid down by India, the leaders of Pakistan have responded and executed an arrest towards the leaders of both terrorist groups that were responsible for the 2001 attack in Parliament known as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The Inter Service Intelligence in Pakistan was shut down and members of these terrorist groups were arrested. These efforts made by Pakistan have been recognized as a positive thing by India (Lavoy & Rana, 2002).

 

3.5 RECOMMENDATIONS

3.5.1 The need of special long-term laws to combat terrorism.

According to experts, the government's response to terrorist acts has been patchy. This implies that India's counter-terrorism actions appear to be in a cyclical pattern. The government appears to take short-term remedies soon after an incident occurs. India lacks a unified strategic response to terrorism, according to retired Major General Sheru Thapliyal, who works at the Center for Land Warfare Studies in New Delhi. There is no doctrine, and the majority of replies are reflexive (Kaplan & Bajoria, 2008The Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), as well as the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1973 and the Indian Penal Code, can assist in the investigation and prosecution of crimes, but not in the prevention of terrorism (Babu, 2010). Furthermore, the Manmohan Singh government abolished POTA in 2014 (Rai, 2020)

3.5.2 Terms and implementations of counter-terrorism act should clearly highlight.

To avoid misuse of the Act established, the Government of India should clearly specify the parameters of law and execution while creating and executing counter-terrorism legislation. Gujarat was the epicentre of POTA abuse along sectarian and minority lines. With the exception of one, all of Gujarat's POTA inmates were Muslims, and law enforcement agents appeared to be ignoring the limited protections in place to protect these prisoners from mistreatment. According to Amnesty International, police detained people for days or weeks without access to family members or lawyers, thwarted habeas corpus proceedings, and threatened to imprison family members if they filed a petition with the government under POTA. Despite POTA restrictions restricting the validity of self-incriminating comments, some inmates claimed they were tortured into confessing. Some police officers in Gujarat seemed to have combined official bias with personal bias and poor police work.

Gujarat, however, was not the only state that unjustly targeted Muslim minority. Two Kashmiri Muslim students were detained in Uttar Pradesh in April 2003 for allegedly sympathising with a Muslim terrorist organisation. Every Kashmiri in a student-heavy part of the state became a suspect in a massive probe. Investigators combed through school data, and school administrators kept an eye on Kashmiri kids (Gagn, n.d.).

3.5.3 Enhancement of security in Parliament

If security procedures had been kept tight and severe, the 2001 Parliament assaults would not have occurred. The hack highlighted several gaps in the Parliament's security infrastructure, which must be addressed in order to prevent future assault on India's democracy throne. Over the years, various security processes have been implemented in the security management to combat terrorists' methods of attack on the Parliament. Parliament's current security management include collaboration between multiple security forces, notably the Intelligence Bureau and the Parliamentary Security Service (Rai, 2020).

 

4.0 CONCLUSION

Since its independence in 1947, India has been the target of many insurgencies and acts of terrorism. India has been at war for more than fifty years, and it has learnt a lot from its achievements and mistakes. The scale of the attacks, as well as the damage they produce, has only grown with time. The Indian military is currently fighting its greatest anti-terror combat near the border, following heavy-handed operations within Punjab. Because of the extensive misuse and unpopularity of TADA, legislators decided to add more protections in POTA. However, abuses exist, and learning must continue. India has to keep refining broad definitions of terrorist offences to avoid arbitrary detentions prompted by politics, prejudice, or haste.

 

5.0 REFERENCES

Babu, A. (2010, June 22). Global Terrorism and Major Indian Legislations. Retrieved from       https://ssrn.com/abstract=1667388 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1667388

Canada, P. S. (2019, June 21). Currently listed entities. Retrieved from    www.publicsafety.gc.ca: https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/lstd-     ntts/crrnt-   lstd-ntts-en.aspx#45

Desk, E. (2019, December 13). Explained: 2001 Parliament attack, and what happened after.   Retrieved  from The Indian Express: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-   2001-       parliament-attack-and-what-happened-after-6164195/

Gagn, C. (n.d.). POTA: LESSONS LEARNED FROM INDIA’S ANTI-TERROR ACT. Retrieved   from  https://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/schools/law/lawreviews/journals/bctwj/25_1/09_F               MS.htm

indianexpress. (2019, December 13). Explained: 2001 Parliament attack, and what happened   after.   Retrieved from indianexpress.com:       https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-2001-     parliament-attack-and-what-       happened-after-6164195/

India, P. T. (2019, October 24). SAR Geelani, convicted and then acquitted in Parliament   attack case,   dies. Retrieved from Hindustan Times: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-   news/sar-geelani           convicted-and-then-acquitted-in-parliament-attack-case-dies/story-kVMLsVaCh16N8goq8kZZfO.html

Kaplan, E. & Bajoria, J. (2008, November 27). Counterterrorism in India. Council on Foreign     Relations. Retrieved from https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/counterterrorism-india

Lavoy, P., & Rana, S. (2002). Standoff Between India and Pakistan. California: Centre for       Contemporary Conflict (CCC).

Maryland, U. o. (2021, May 2). Terrorism in India. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org:    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism_in_India

Mohd. Afzal Kumhar and Anr v. State, 811 (High Court of Delhi April 13, 2009).

Rai, D. (2020, October 9). Parliament attack of 2001 and its legal implications. Retrieved from   Pleaders: https://blog.ipleaders.in/parliament-attack-of-2001-and-its-legal-implications/

Rediff.com. (2001, December 14). 2001 Indian Parliament attack. Retrieved from       en.wikipedia.org:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_Indian_Parliament_attack

Riedel, B. (2016, July 28). How 9/11 is Connected to December 13. Brookings.    https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/how-911-is-connected-to-december-13/

Staff, F. (2013, February 9). All you need to know about the 2001 Parliament attack.   Retrieved  from   www.firstpost.com: https://www.firstpost.com/india/all-you-need-to-know-   about-the-2001-             parliament-attack-619622.html

6.0 APPENDICES

Figure 1: The picture of Afzal Guru.

Figure 2: The image of parliament building.

APRIL 2014 ÜRÜMQI ATTACK

APRIL 2014 ÜRÜMQI ATTACK

 

DATE AND TIME PUBLISHED: 8/6/2021 (TUESDAY), 12.20 PM

WRITTEN BY: KAM2284D

1. NOR NADIA BINTI AZMAN (2020899318)

2. INTAN NAZIFA BINTI JONID (2020899312)

3. SITI NAJIHA BINTI SHAIFUL NIZAM (2020862062)

4. MUHAMMAD ILHAM BIN MOHD AZHARI (2020608314)

5. AZREEN SHAHIRA BINTI MD ASRI (2020483726)

 

Topic: April 2014 Ürümqi Attack

 

 

1.0 INTRODUCTION

            2014 Urumqi Attack refers to the terrorist attack that took place on 30^th April 2014 in the city of Urumqi, Xinjiang. The incident was carried out by two religious’ extremists, according to the Chinese government, who both perished in the bomb. In a bomb and knife assault at the station, three persons were murdered, including the terrorists, and 79 were injured. (Michael Martina, 2014)

The incident appeared to coincide with Chinese President Xi Jinping's first visit to Xinjiang, a four-day tour that ended on Wednesday to a region where Muslim minority have frequently battled with Chinese authorities in violent clashes. (William Wan, 2014)

The two assailants who were dead, according to the Xinjiang regional government's official news website (www.ts.cn), had "long been inspired by extreme religious ideas and participated in extremist religious activities." One of them was identified as Sedierding Shawuti, a 39-year-old man from Xayar county in Xinjiang’s Aksu region. The other person, however, was not identified. According to the administration, the third victim was a spectator. “Two mobsters set off bombs on their bodies and died,” the People's Daily, the official newspaper of the ruling Chinese Communist Party, stated earlier on its microblog.

For years, Xinjiang, a resource-rich region strategically placed on the Central Asian border, has been plagued by unrest, which the Chinese government has blamed on Islamist terrorists and separatists. The explosion was the first in the Xinjiang region's capital in 17 years. It happened shortly after a train from a predominantly Han Chinese region arrived, according to official media. According to authorities, “knife-wielding mobs” slashed at individuals at a station exit and set off bombs, according to the Xinhua news agency. (Michael Martina, 2014)

 

2.0 APRIL 2014 URUMQI ATTACK (WHAT, WHY, WHERE, WHO)   

TIP refers to Turkistan Islamic Party or Tim which is Turkistan Islam Movement. They are formerly known as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). The root of this terrorist group is founded in Western China. In 30 April 2014, the TIP has attacked the railway station in Urumqi South. Through this attack, 3 people were killed including both of the perpetrators and 79 people who were injured. The type of attack that been made during that day are suicide bombing and knife attack. The attack happened at 7.10 pm of local time when a pair of attackers with knives and explosives bomb at the exit of Urumqi South Station.  Based on the People’s Daily, it stated that the attackers had set off bombs that tied to their bodies. The bomb was said by the witness there, apparently it was the homemade bomb as the blast was not massive. Turkestan Islamic Party was claimed responsible for the attack according to an anti-terrorist intelligence service. The attack was carried out by two religiously motivated suicide bombers. The reason behind the attack was said related with Xinjiang conflict. Therefore, the attack has happened on the final day of four-day tour of Xi Jinping. It is because he had label Xijiang as the front line against terrorism during his visit at nearby city, Kashgar and also because he vowed to take hardline against terrorism and violence attributed to Muslim Uyghur separatists. After the attack, security forces have moved quickly to the station and the later on various entrances at the railway station was guarded by paramilitary and riot police. It is to evacuate the area. Casualties were taken to hospital in ambulances and there were also taxis to back up the lack of ambulance availability at that moment. It is to ensure the smoothness treatment to those who are injured. As a result of those attack, the Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping has made a promise to take decisive actions against the attack caused by terrorist and was said to take “strike-first” strategy as a way to respond with the incidents. The government official was also called by him to have those who are injured were be assisted and to investigate the crime and punish those who involved in the attack.

 

3.0 REVIEW

3.1 CHALLENGES

3.1.1 The Demographics of Urumqi

Despite the violent occurrences that have occurred around China, Urumqi remains China's biggest terrorist hotspot. Urumqi has this distinction since it is the nexus of Xinjiang's cultural melting pot, where Uighurs and Han Chinese coexist. Because of this combination, there is a constant concern in Urumqi of ethnic tensions violently spilling over into larger communal strife, which might be sparked by acts aimed at igniting such violence. On July 5, 2009, violent riots occurred in Urumqi, killing 184 people and badly injuring over 1,000 others. Uighur rioters, according to allegations in the news, attacked Han Chinese shops and individuals on the streets. In reaction, large numbers of Urumqi's Han people flocked to the streets. While ethnic tensions finally dissipated, they remained a problem in the months that followed. (Sajjan M. Gohel, 2014)

           

3.1.2 Critics against Government on the Restrictive and Discriminatory Policies

While Beijing blames separatists for inflaming ethnic tensions, government opponents claim the Uyghurs have been alienated by restricted and discriminating laws and practises (France24, 2014). Despite residing in an ostensibly "independent" zone, many Xinjiang residents who identify as Uyghurs, "Muslims," or "Turks" believe that Chinese administration has disregarded or, worse, actively worked against them. These folks are currently in grave danger.

Some Uyghurs also claim that a large-scale Han migration to Xinjiang has rendered them a minority in their own country, leaving them with less career opportunities. The increased opportunities afforded by free trade across the western border mostly favour Han, who are progressively pushing Uyghurs to the margins.

The lopsided distribution of wealth, in their opinion, benefits Han Chinese at the expense of Uyghurs. The majority of those interested in developing the province's energy resources are Han Chinese, not Uyghurs, and the revenues flow mostly to Beijing. That portion of the province's money that does make its way back to Urumqi is used to fund a number of projects that endanger the homelands and environments in which Xinjiang's indigenous peoples have lived for ages. (Graham E. Fuller & S. Frederick Starr, n.d.)

3.2 SIGNIFICANCE

It is crucial to understand the significance of Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP) in Ürümqi attack April 2014. Among the importance of the attack in Urumqi, Xinjiang is to warn and threaten the Chinese government against violence that could occur at any time in their area. This series of attacks in Urumqi is not a new attack, in fact there is also violence and crime committed by criminal groups. This aims to remind administrators in the country to be vigilant in their every action. if they make a mistake against the population especially the Uyghur Islamic population, adverse effects can happen at any time. As we know the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP) terrorist group has links to Al-Qaeda, therefore it is possible that acts of insurgency and violence could take place on a large scale.

Next, among the other interests of the incident was, aimed at defending the fate or revenge of the Uyghur people in the area. The way the violence took place in Urumqi, Xinjiang was very cruel because it involved innocent lives. however, it was an act of protesters to protest cases of abuse and killings involving Muslims there especially in relation to Uyghur.

Reuters, which conducted an interview with Mansour in March 2014, noted that Mansour and TIP are based in Pakistan’s tribal areas, along with “a lethal mix of militant groups, including the Taliban and al Qaeda.” In the Reuters interview, Mansour vowed that “Muslims will take revenge” on China and promised future attacks. Thus, this has given a glimpse into the revenge that took place by sacrificing several lives in Urumqi, Xinjiang in April 2014.

 

3.3 FACTORS

3.3.1 Seeks an Independent in Xinjiang

China has long faced low-level violence from the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). ETIM, started by Hasan Mahsun, a Uighur Muslim from Kashgar, seeks an independent Xinjiang, which the organization refers to as East Turkestan. Though it began as a separatist movement, ETIM became more radical over time, in part because some of its members mixed with al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Since the establishment of the Turkistan Islamic Party, it has aimed to establish an independent state called East Turkestan replacing Xinjiang. the objectives targeted by the TIP have come under many constraints to materialize. Therefore, the violence in Urumqi, Xinjiang has taken place to show that they are very committed and steadfast with their objective of making Xinjiang an independent state area.

 

3.3.2 A Visit by Xi Jinping, General Secretary of The Communist Party of China to the Region

Xi had just finished an inspection tour of Xinjiang when the attack in Urumqi occurred. While in Xinjiang, Xi visited Chinese military and paramilitary outposts and called for troops to strike at terrorists with a “crushing blow.” The attack took place on the evening before China’s May 1 holiday, a time of especially heavy travel across the country. The attackers may also have wanted to send a message in the wake of Xi’s visit to Xinjiang and his strong words against terrorism and separatism. Xi Jinping's visit was one of the main factors that led to the case. Because of the dissatisfaction by the terrorists, against the Chinese government and also to coincide with the visit, TIP has carried out violent killings and bombings against people who are Chinese citizens. If no visits were made it is likely that the violence that took place would not have occurred or at least not involved murder.

 

3.4 THE IMPACTS OF THE ATTACK DURING APRIL 2014 IN ÜRÜMQI

3.4.1 China increased international security involvement

            In order to justify restrictions that are harsh against the community of Chinese Uyghur community, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has used the threat of international terrorism. The fear of potential terrorism activity in Xinjiang have cause due to the involvement of a minor number of Uyghur fighting in Afghanistan and the Uyghur exposure to elements that are radical in the Islamic community internationally.

            The movement of separatist in Xinjiang has led to a serious terrorism that is known as transnational terrorism. The terrorist skills inspired from international terrorist could lead to damages in China. Due to this, in order to ensure international terrorism does not come to China and attack the country with violence, China must look on the outside borders.

China has been active in matters pertaining to pressuring small states in relation to terrorism abroad and Uyghurs. In order to coordinate with regional partners, China uses Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in order to coordinate or link with partners that are regional. This includes Russia in order to stabilize in the central of Asia and combat terrorism. By using the SCO, agenda and pressuring other states to withhold support for Uyghurs and assist them in monitoring Uyghurs movement abroad (Wilson, 2019).

In 2018, China’s President, Xi, had met with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. This meeting has led to the two countries which are China and France to release a statement in order to work together in matters pertaining to terrorism and security. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has supported France continuously for terrorism attacks. In order to cope with China’s own domestic terrorism concern, the CCP seeks for supports from the Western. Although, there was not a single official agreement shown by these two states, the statement made earlier between France and China shows that CCP is willing to be accountable when it comes to intelligence sharing with partners from the Western if CCP receives compensation that is valuable (Wilson, 2019)

 

3.4.2 Police monitors resident movements

To cope with terrorist activities, the China government have worked very hard since the year of 2014. The government have built a secret police state in order to monitor the resident movements. This initiative is essentially active in Xinjiang. This initiative had grown bigger when the government decided to widen the surveillance by using technology to other area of China. This innovation uses big data, sensors as well as other modern methods and technologies. This method of surveillance is more focused on the area that is populated with community that is Muslim. In order for the civilian to do daily activities such as the usage of public transportation, enter markets or buy fuel, they have to submit a scan called facial recognition scan. Residents in that Muslim populated area must download a software application in order for the government to monitor the content of the messages in the resident’s phones. Not just that, but the authorities also come to an extend of collecting data in terms of biometric such as fingerprints, DNA, eye scans and many more. When it comes to knives purchasing by the Uighurs, the data such as purchaser identification is embedded into the blades and this acts as QR codes. For residents with suspicious face recognition, the software will alert the government as well as the authorities involved when this suspicious individual enters area 300 meters from the approved areas (Byman & Saber, 2019).

 

3.4.3 The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has also passed a law to formalize the Sinicization program

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have passed down a law in order to implement a program called Sinicization program which comes with a goal to bring Islam closer to traditional Chinese culture. This is in order to make Islam becomes at sync with socialism. Some of the government’s effort in order to make this program lively is by banning the head scarf, fasting during Ramadhan and many more. Any associations with Islam will be banned as the government came with a list of banned names. In the year of 2014, a regulating has been passed by Xinjiang in order for religion teaching in schools to be banned as well as prohibition of the Halal word when being used on food. The children are also banned from activities that are considered as religious and this applies for at home as well. The Old Town in Kashgar which was previously known for its Central Asian Architecture and Islamic traditions was rebuild by the government of China. Previously, there was a mosque in the Old Town which is then converted into a lounge (Byman & Saber, 2019)

 

3.5 RECOMMENDATION

3.5.1 Security in the city should be tightened

On 30^th April 2014, knife attacks and bombings took place in the city of Ürümqi, Xinjiang in China [News, 2021]. The best way to counter this challenge or attacks is by tightening up the country security [GGsbox, 2014], where the armed forces and police need regularly monitoring the suspicious group of people who are entering to the country illegally. The armed forces and police need to give more efforts and commitment in sensitive in the face of the possibility of war. This is to ensure the lives of people in China cannot be threaten easier by the group of terrorists. The defence organization need to prepare well and enough their war equipment. The defence organization can send their military, armed forces and police to the training development incentive program. This is to ensure the skills, abilities and knowledge of all these people can be polish appropriately. Where the police, military or armed forces knowing how to handle the war happened in the country by arranging the effective strategies to act by preventing the terrorists from actively moving in entering the country silently. 

 

3.5.2 Encourage innovative cyber security solutions

Due to the development of technology in this era, national defence organizations need to implement new plans in reforming cyber security. By implementing a new plan in renewing cyber security, it could help the police and military be able to detect terrorists more quickly and accurately. In addition, citizens in a country also play an important role in helping the authorities by not posting anything on social media about the country's political developments. If the citizens do so, it encourages war to take place because terrorists know the political developments of the country. If governments want to create savings and efficiencies rather than using digital, they need to go one step further than criminals. The gang is smart and fast, once one path is blocked, they try to find another path. Governments should be more agile, to come up with innovative and cost-effective ways to curb cybercrime and frustrate their motives by stealing country information silently and illegally. In creating a safe digital environment for citizens and companies, governments can adopt leading practices from the private sector and encourage employees to be more aware to the virtual world [Ferbrache, 2016].

 

4.0 CONCLUSION

In the aftermath of a disaster or terrorist incident, policy makers come under intense political pressure to respond with measures intended to prevent the event from occurring again. The policy impulse to do something by which is usually meant something new under these circumstances is understandable, but it is simply not true that doing something new is always better than doing nothing. One of the things that government can do to improve the national defense and security system is where the government needs to constantly update the new strategies to ensure the safety of the people is well maintained. In some situations, improving citizen privacy can have the result of improving their security and vice versa. For example, improvements in the quality of data such as more complete and more accurate data used in identifying potential terrorists are likely to increase security by enhancing the effectiveness of information-based programs to identify terrorists and to decrease the adverse consequences that may occur due to confidentiality violations for the vast majority of innocent individuals (Press, 2008). All citizens and authorities play an important role in curbing the ongoing war. Therefore, all parties must be responsible and united in their efforts to work together and be tolerant to curb the problem of war.

 

5.0 REFERENCES

BBC News. (2014, April 30). Deadly China blast at Xinjiang railway station. BBC News. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-27225308.amp

 

Byman, D. L., & Saber, I. (2019). IS CHINA PREPARED FOR GLOBAL TERRORISM? XINJIANG AND BEYOND. Brooking: The Brookings Institution.

 

Ferbrache, D. (2016, May 2). Five ways for governments to tighten up cyber security. Retrieved from home.kpmg: https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2016/05/five-ways-for-governments-to-tighten-up-cyber-security.html

 

France24, (2014, May 1). Deadly attack at train station in restive western China. Retrieved on June 2, 2021 from https://www.france24.com/en/20140501-dead-attack-station-china-stabbing-bomb

 

Fuller, G. E. & Starr, S. F. (n.d.). The Xinjiang Problem. Central Asia Caucasus Institute. Retrieved on June 2, 2021 from https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/30301/01_Xinjiang_Problem.pdf

 

Gohel, S. M. (2014). The “Seventh Stage” Of Terrorism in China. Combating Terrorism at West Point: CTC Sentinel, Nov/Dec 2014, Vol. 7 (11). Retrieved on June 2, 2021 from https://ctc.usma.edu/the-seventh-stage-of-terrorism-in-china/

 

GGsbox. (2014, May 2014). Urumqi car and bomb attack kills dozens. Retrieved from www.theguardian.com: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/22/china-urumqi-car-bomb-attack-xinjiang

 

Martina, M. (2014, May 1). China blames religious extremists for station bombing. Reuters. Retrieved on June 2, 2021 from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-xinjiang-blast-idUSBREA3T0HX20140501

 

News, B. (2021, April 30). April 2014 Ürümqi attack. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_2014_%C3%9Cr%C3%BCmqi_attack

 

Press, A. t. (2008). Protecting Individual Privacy in the Struggle Against Terrorists: A Framework for Program Assessment (2008). Retrieved from www.nap.edu: https://www.nap.edu/read/12452/chapter/5

 

Tiezzi, S. (2014, May 2). China Confirms 3 Dead, 79 Injured in Urumqi Terrorist Attack. The Diplomat. https://thediplomat.com/2014/05/china-confirms-3-dead-79-injured-in-urumqi-terrorist-attack/

 

Wan, W. (2014, May 1). Train station attack in restive region of China kills 3. The Washington Post. Retrieved on June 2, 2021 from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/train-station-attack-in-restive-region-of-china-kills-3/2014/04/30/bbf7b9ce-d0d6-11e3-937f-d3026234b51c_story.html

 

Wilson, M. (2019, December 23). Chinese Uyghurs: International Terrorists or a Terrorised Minority? Retrieved from Australian Outlook: https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/chinese-uyghurs-international-terrorists-or-terrorised-minority/

 

6.0 APPENDICES 

Figure 1: The situation outside the railway station during the attack.

 

Figure 2: Heavily-armed soldiers deployed to control the area.