Human Rights Watch has officially denounced the recent attacks in Mumbai which has resulted in the death of 175 people. India and Pakistan have been the targets of several terrorist attacks in recent years. Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, calls on both countries to work together to address this ‘scourge.’

It is unclear who planned the Mumbai attacks. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh points the finger at ‘elements’ in Pakistan. There are fears that Pakistan is used as a launch-pad for terrorist activities. Pakistan vehemently denies such allegations but has promised to investigate any evidence that indicates Pakistan’s involvement in the incidents in Mumbai.

Human Rights Watch has proposed ways in which India could combat this problem and effectively avoid the repeat of such a tragic episode. One proposed measure calls on India to ‘accept training and assistance from external law enforcement agencies with a more sophisticated approach to counterterrorism work.’

HRW notes how Indian security forces have ‘committed arbitrary arrests and torture’ on Muslims following previous terror attacks. Such arrests must, according to HRW, have a legal basis. Adams acknowledges that there is a lot of pressure on Indian intelligence agencies to discover the masterminds of attacks; however this must not be done through the infliction of torture. Such behavior ‘has only succeeded in alienating minority communities’.