Interview With Mumbai Terrorist (Translated)

Indian news outlets have reported that one of the terrorists from Oberoi Hotel called into the India TV television station. He claimed to be from the Deccan Mujahideen and recited his demands. Earlier, an email from a group calling itself the "Mujahideen Hyderabad Deccan" emailed a message to Indian media outlets. "Deccan", by the way, means "Southern". Hyderabad is in the south of India.

Here is the video of the TV interview. There is no way to know if the call is authentic, but Western news outlets have been relying on this conversation in their reporting of the terrorists’ demands.

With the help of my wife, who is a fluent Urdu and Hindi speaker (and who has lived in Pakistan for many years), I have translated the exchange between the terrorist (who calls himself ‘Shahadullah’) and the two reporters who spoke to him via telephone.

A few things immediately jump out. First, Shahadullah claims to be from Hyderabad in India. He also makes reference to the destruction of the Babri mosque by Hindu nationalists. The destruction of the mosque is a source of much conflict between India’s Muslim and Hindu communities. He also seems to stumble when asked what their demands are. He has to check with someone next to him, who he refers to as "Sirji" (boss), for the demands. He also says that there are seven terrorists in Oberoi Hotel after initially hesitating to divulge the number.

The TV segment begins in mid interview. Below is the transcript as translated by my wife. [The audio is garbled at a few points so some of the translation may need improvement]:

Female Journalist (FJ): What is the biggest criminal saying?

Shahadullah (S): So many Muslims have been mass murdered, at that time who had surrendered. Our mosques were torn down and we were not allowed to sleep in peace. Our mothers and sisters were mass murdered. Who was it then and why couldnt he surrender? The commandos came and we will teach him such a lesson that his kids will become orphans.

FJ: Where are you from and who are you connected with?

S: Yes, yes, we are from Hyderabad and we are connected to Deccan (Southern) Mujahideen.

Male Journalist (MJ): What are your demands?

FJ: What do you want to say and what are your demands?

S: Wait one minute.

S: [Spoken to someone in the background] Yes, [possibly spoken in Punjabi] say demand. [spoken in Hindi/Urdu] What is the demand?

MJ: Yes, we have Shahadullah present with us. Shahadullah, we want to know what your demands are, what do you want? Tell us your demand. Entire Hindustan is watching you, is listening to you.

S: [Spoken to someone in the background] Sir, she’s coming to the demands.

FJ: Come on, tell us, how many of you have come here and how many places do you plan to attack?

FJ: Shahadullah?

S: Hello.

MJ: Yes, Shahadullah,speak.

S: All the Mujahideen in India, all the ones imprisoned, they should free them. And after that we will release the hostages.

MJ: Yes

S: Otherwise we will [garbled]…you might have seen what is happening.

FJ: How many of you are in the Oberoi Hotel?

S: Ha! [laughs]…why should I tell you?

MJ: No, because you are saying that you are fighting a battle. At least say how many people you are.

S: We are seven. Seven.

MJ: Seven? You are seven people inside Hotel Oberoi?

S: Yes, yes.

MJ: So, you have only one demand that all the Mujahedeen should be released? Besides this you have no other demand?

S: Yes, should be released. All the Muslims who are residents of India should not be disturbed. It should not happen that somewhere Babri Mosque is being torn down and somewhere Muslims are being…[garbled]

MJ: Shahadullah, Shahadullah. We want to say something to you. You are also a citizen of Hindustan. You yourself are saying you are a resident of Hyderabad. Don’t you have any love for this country? Because the people who are killed can also be your brother, can be someone else’s brother. 

S; Yes, I have love for them. It is my country, it is my nation. But the problem is when our elders, our brothers, our mothers and our sisters were killed, then they didn’t see this. Ok,  Allah Hafez [good bye].

[At this point he apparently hangs up]

The female reporter says after the interview that the terrorist sounded Pakistani. However, the accent is most likely native to India. According to my wife, people from Hyderabad, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and other places would speak with similar accents. His accent is not common to Pakistan. Also of note, his manner of speaking is very colloquial and does not suggest a high level of education.

All of this suggests that, if this call was in fact from one of the terrorists, that some of the terrorists are at least Indian Muslims. They may have worked in conjunction with foreign fighters, but, this interview at least suggests that the grievances of this terrorist appear to be local.

 

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45 Responses to Interview With Mumbai Terrorist (Translated)

  1. Amin says:

    No sir, I am a Urdu translation linguist, that is certainly a Pakistani Urdu accent, why do we muslims protect these idiots? Until we realise and admit their is a problem within our community, only then we can sort it, debying it and blaming it on Indian outfits is not going to help, he is certainl Pakistani because of the Urdu style he is speaking, in Hyderabad they do not even speak some of the words he said in Urdu.

  2. Mash says:

    Amin, I have heard basically two versions from people who discount this interview. One version says that this is a hoax call even though the caller sounds Indian. Another version is the version you suggest, that this caller is a Pakistani.

    I am not a native Urdu speaker so I defer to my wife on this. She is fairly confident this accent is not Pakistani. You mentioned that some of the words he spoke are not spoken in Hyderabad. Can you give some examples so that others who read the comments, who are native speakers, can also weigh in.

    You say he is certainly Pakistani. Can you elaborate on which region in Pakistan his accent would be from, because my understanding is that they vary and are quite recognizable.

    Now, as for “protect”ing these idiots, I guess you are referring to protecting Pakistanis. Because the guy in the interview leaves no doubt that he is claiming to be Muslim. Its just that he is claiming to be a Muslim from Hyderabad. So I am pretty sure you are not suggesting that I am protecting Muslims, it seems to me you are suggesting that I am protecting Pakistani Muslims. You will find that suggestion ironic if you spend a few minutes reading some of my blog posts on Pakistan.

    I know many people are breathlessly accusing Pakistan for these attacks. I would like to wait for the evidence to come in first. There is ample reason to suspect these attacks are homegrown or based on homegrown issues. Past attacks in India have been carried out by Kashmiri Muslims fighting for autonomy/independence, and by Muslim-Hindu tit for tat killings due to India’s own communal discord. Even now, the usual suspects are either the Kashmiri outfits or other internal Islamist factions. It is rumored that some of these groups – especially the Kashmiri ones – may all have some form of Pakistani ISI backing. But rumor is a long way from finding out who carried out these attacks.

    As I am sure you know, Mumbai itself has a sordid history of Hindu-Muslim violence. Muslims were massacred on the streets of Mumbai and Muslims set off bombs that killed over 200 people in 1993. There have been a lot of recent attacks as well.

    The caller in the interview specifically cited the Babri Mosque (internal Indian Hindu-Muslim communal problem) and a reference to what I take to be the killing of Muslims on the streets of Mumbai. The caller is certainly citing domestic Indian issues. Now, it is possible the caller is trying to throw the authorities off by pointing the finger elsewhere. But, if the caller’s accent is so transparently Pakistani, as you suggest it is, then why on Earth would he call and give himself away as a Pakistani. It seems to me the email that they sent would have sufficed. To call and give his accent away, while pretending to be an Indian Muslim, would make these terrorists monumentally stupid. Given the mass killings and destruction they have wreaked, they are certainly men bent on evil, but one cannot legitimately argue that they are stupid.

  3. Imran says:

    Mash,

    We, in Hyderabad, do not say – kyun batayega? That is Pakistani way. We say – ‘ main kai koo batayega?’

    We do not say Skoon – we say sa-koon. There are numerous glitch.

    We do not say Allah Hafiz, mostly. Few respond when we are greeted like that. We say Khuda Hafiz. And that is common in UP, Bihar or any other area of India. If the person were from UP or Bihar, he would not speak Skoon. They speak finest Urdu(even Pakistanis cannot match polished Urdu of Rickshaw puller of UP. Just an example – Assalam Walikum would be the begining of conversation if person is from UP.

    Your wife is ignorant at best, she is pretty sympathetic for terrorist. If I were you, I would ask for help. You are misled by thinking that she is an expert in figuring out accent. Can’t you figure out that I am not American the way I would write metre or talk of temparature in celsius?

    And lastly, we Hyderabadi Muslim take pride in our Muslim identity we take pride in our Indian identity. These Pakistanis have tried many times just to meet failure. Do not tarnish our name.

  4. Imran says:

    Ok I will give few more: (there are many more that I will skip):

    1. Tallak – we say talluk in Hyderabad. And I understand that is same anywhere in India. It is a Pakistani Punjabi tone. (listen to Lahori folks speak).

    2. Sabar karo ek mint. Mint is spoken in Pakistani Urdu. That is a Punjabi way of speaking. No one in and par of South India will say mint for minute.

    3. When the person says Sirjee, demand ka sawaal hi hai na or something akin – that is total Punjabi tone. There is not no word used in Hyderabad like Sirjee. We never refer each other as Sirjee. I can bet on that. (1:10 minute into tape). Well since your wife is expert – tell her being Hyderabadi, I felt he said – Darji for sirjee – it was so Punjabi. Anyone who has lived in India or Pakistan will without a second thought say that these are Pakistanis. (even wihout listening tape).

    4. We do not say – nahin. We say nako. Pyare is not even used in Hyderabad.

    5. Chutti karega, yatim kar jayega. (tone is good enough – I don’t know what confuses her).

  5. Mash says:

    Imran, while I appreciate your insight into the local dialect, I think you weaken your case by your ad hominem attacks.

    While there is ample reason to suspect Pakistan-based militants may be involved, you really would be denying reality to posit that any suggestion that local Indian Muslim militants might be involved is somehow tarnishing your name. India has a long history of Muslim attacks against Hindus and vice versa. Pretending otherwise and calling people names will not make that go away.

    If you disagree with my take on this interview, please do so. I have not claimed anything as fact. I made an attempt to get a much talked about interview translated and then gave my opinion, based on advice I trust. But, if you are going to escalate difference of opinion to calling people terrorist sympathizers, you really are going to have very few people who will engage you in dialogue.

  6. mallika says:

    I am no expert in urdu.But as a native of hyderabad one always hears urdu.i want to second what Imran said.kain koo is used in the place of kyon ki and conversations always end with khuda hafiz.The last point he said is VERY VERY TRUE.INDIAN MUSLIMS WOULD NEVER DO SUCH A THING.now the news reports say that the lone terrorist who was arrested has confessed that he is from PAK.so now we know who is behind this

  7. Mash says:

    Mallika, the latest news reports say that the one terrorist who was captured is from Pakistan. Unfortunately, the same news reports also say that this terrorist is also saying that they had local help. From the latest on the Times of India website:

    Azam Amir Kasab, the only Pakistani terrorist nabbed alive, has revealed names and addresses of at least five people from the city who helped the terror operation.

    Sources said that help like, providing shelter, taking them around and showing places, passing information on police stations and nakabandhis were given by these locals. Joint commissioner of police (crime) Rakesh Maria said,”We suspect there could be local assistants but it is subject to verification. It will be very premature to comment on this at this stage as our investigations is going on.”

    There have been a lot of incorrect and conflicting leaks coming out in news reports, so its not clear to me how credible this reporting is.

    I am of the opinion that it is more important to figure out who did this rather than to pin the blame on an easy target (e.g., Pakistan) based on wish or rumor. I will note that in a rush to judgment the Bush administration took this country to war with Iraq. Now, seven years after 9/11 Bin Laden has still not been brought to justice. Perhaps I am in the minority in calling for actual evidence and going after the actual culprits, but I hope not.

  8. Sobuj says:

    i have seen a comment in youtube about Mumbai attack. it was by a Pakistani. he said that they(Pakistanis) gave a dick in Mumbai!
    he wrote-
    “So how was the dick that we gave in Mumbai. Long live Pakistan. Long live Kashmir. Long live one more new Pakistan in india (End-ia)”
    it means that there is a link between Pakistan and Mumbai attack. by the way, the commenter’s name was CyrusKayani.
    the link of this comment is-

  9. Sobuj says:

    http://www.youtube.com/user/thar777
    this is the link of the comment.

  10. Alfa says:

    Mash,

    Without taking away anything from your wife’s love for her native country, Its unfortunately true that all the terrorist activities in India are fueled by Pakistan.

    Terrorist organisation like LeT(Laskare e Taiba) and Jaish-e-mohhammad are flourishing in pakistan under ISI. You can check the authencity by going through Wikipedia etc(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lashkar-e-Toiba).

    I agree that lately there has been local support for such inhuman and insane acts from home grown fanatics like Indian Mujahiddin. But these are misguided souls who have been filled up sheer hatred by playing with their minds.
    Indian claims again have been supported with the evidence found so far. Refer http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/73571/Terrorist-I-don-t-want-to-die for brief description.
    Also satellite phone from captured terrorist has shown calls Lashkar commander Yusuf Muzamil in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan were made. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Mumbai_attack_Satellite_phone_vital_clue_to_solve_mystery/articleshow/3770611.cms

    Also these attacks from Pakistan Sponsored terrorist is no J&K Freedom movement. There are free elections being held currenly in the Indian state of J&K.

    India has more Muslims than Pakistan and they are integral part of India and its progress. I agree there are difference which are to be sorted out internally by us as a nation. But so are the differences in Pakistan between Shia and Sunni even after being Islamic Republic.

    Its very unfortunate that international community led by USA because of thier dire interest to have Pakistan support for operating against Taliban has been in state of denial about terrorist attacks in India.
    It took such horrific and inhuman attack in Mumbai targetting US,UK and Israili citizens for international governments and media to agree Pakistan’s involvement in Terrorism in India.

    Truth is that Terrorism has not national or religious boundaries. Its brutal attack on the mankind. World has to act together against it leaving behind only thier country’s interest.

  11. Imran says:

    Mash,

    You may feel whatever you want to – you are too adamant to hear anything different than what your wife says. (and I understand that is nessecary for peace in home). But you know what, even a Pakistani visiting your site will laugh at your claim. Trust me no one can help you. Anyone from India or Pakistan will tell you that you are wrong when you say these are Indians based on this tape. Tape conclusively prove reverse to be true.

    To me YOU seem to be a prey of ad hominem attacks. You need to read history of this region better. Do not claim to be expert by reading few newspaper articles, we do not run business and fight on racial basis as in Europe or America. Our divide is cultural diversity and that is our strength from other side, something that you will not understand as there is no country where it has ever happened. (I have travelled to many European countries, US, Australia, Middle East and far east – that you folks ignorantly call ‘Asia’).

    Now coming back to your point, I will further tell you (and any one who understands the accent will tell you) that these people are Pakistani Punjabis or maybe settled there for generations. They look and talk like farm workers for that part of world. They do not belong to Karachi even.

    You will sound meaningful once you accept the truth. You logic is skewed on its axis that since India had issues in the past, these are Indians. When you say such a thing, remember that Indian Muslims have proud history. We helped our nation fight in Kashmir (it was a Muslim who reported Indian Army in 1948). You keep repeating the population concept – balony. At least those folks in Kashmir have better facilites than what they have in PoK side. In 1962, Lance Nayak Abdul Hamid led the assault. In Hyderabad Nizam, we have history of laying down our lives for nation. We joined India without pressure. What else do you think would have made a sizable Muslim state to give up in 1947. Question on nationality and alligiance is bogus. Religion – I do not push in conversation, where I am not sure of person’s IQ.

    So Mash – cool down. That is your task for the day. Once you cool down, send your wife to Hyderabad – she will learn something better about life.

  12. Imran says:

    On your rebuttal of Mallika’s point – I would add something. US got help of local Iraqis. That did not make those Americans Iraqi – did it? Same goes here. See terrorism is a war as much as an expensive war in Iraq or Afghanistan. (do not read that I agree with what west is doing in Iraq).

    There are always some sold souls. But the first question is that – wheather these terrorists are from Pakistan or not. And they are! Period – end of the story. Did they get help from locals does not change the question, it definitely changes equation on how many more we need to address. To me – I would still say that these are Pakistani elements, if I find their master mind, their financer sitting west of Wagah, no matter where they are born. Don’t you do same in USA, when it coms to identify the terrorists, when you say this is Zarqawi was Iraqi insurgent, when he was actually born in Jordan, nation with whom you have good relationship. Let us use same yard stick Mash.

  13. Deb says:

    This is an extremely biased representation. People like Mash seem to be living in an utopian world denying all facts on their face.He is relying on second hand information from his wife who is a Pakistani national to conclude that the terrorists were Indian. As Imran says, Mash is only going to listen to his wife. I feel he better spend his time singing these bedtime stories to his wife rather than making false, biased statements which only originates in his wife’s fertile imagination!

  14. Deb says:

    I can only call you an insensitive idiot. Perhaps your opinions would have been different if you were couped up in one of the rooms in Taj or Oberoi. Please keep your opinions to yourself you freak. We have no use for your opinions.

  15. Deb says:

    Some evidence that will hopefully blow away Mash’s wive’s theory which was most likely cooked up after smoking some pot 🙂

    Confession of a captured terrorist
    Azam Amir Kasav,[105][106] a 21 year old terrorist, was caught trying to escape in a car, at Girgaum Chowpatty Naka in Mumbai.[107] and taken to the Nair hospital. According to preliminary investigations by intelligence agencies, Azam is from Faridkot (near Multan) in Pakistan[105] and had received arms training in Pakistan.[11] Ammunition, a satellite phone and a layout plan of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus was recovered from him. He has provided many clues to the investigation agencies and has reportedly described how they arrived at Mumbai from Karachi via Porbandar. He has reportedly said that he and other terrorists had received revolvers, AK-47s, ammunition and dried fruit, from their coordinator.[11] Azam reportedly told the police that they wanted to replicate the Marriott hotel attack in Islamabad, and reduce the Taj Hotel to rubble, replicating the September 11 attacks in India.[11]
    Source : Wikipedia

  16. Mash says:

    Deb and Imran, if my translation of the interview and observation that the caller does not sound Pakistani bothers you so much that you are reduced to name calling, there is not much to discuss.

    You should at least consider the possibility, as most analysts do, that this attack might have local elements involves as well. However, it seems you are more comfortable hurling insults.

    And for the record, my wife is not Pakistani and neither am I. My post is not a defense of Pakistan nor is it an indictment of India. You would do well to reread it.

  17. Mash says:

    Alfa, you and I are largely in agreement about the issue of terrorism. My posts on the Pakistan military and Islamism can be found here.

  18. Imran says:

    Mash,

    You are seeking a truce, but attacking yourself. No one called you names – at least not me. If showing fallacy in your arguments and putting my point across like a gentleman is attacking – yes I am guility of that.

    On the contrary I find your post an attack on Indian Muslim and their integrity. Am I not allowed to defend and if I defend it by removing misconception of one person at a time, am I aggressor? You used the word ‘ad hominem’ – that is surely offending. I know what I am talking but you attacked me unnessecarily. It is not very friendly term even in USA that I know. Secondly when you say that Muslim and home grown terror, you need to give proof of the same. It is akin to saying 9/11 was done by French of American origin because they fought during Lousiana merge. Reminds me that America was more fragmented in past than us. Or saying that Mexicans brought Nasdaq down because they did not like that Mexico, California and New Mexico were taken over by Confedarte America. How does my teaching new history sound to your American ears? Bad, inappropriate and coarse right? If you say funny – I must admit you are ignorant on sociological aspect of this false notion. Your claim seemed just as good when you said it was Indian home grown terror. You are in serious minority in your views, consider moving down South or may be to Dakotas, you will surely survive. See I know more about your history and geography than you might be knowing about it like Ms. South Calorina pegeant.

    You will buy my vote, if you give on objective point to back what you said above.

    Your only fighting point is that your wife knows Hindi/Urdu. Urdu and Hindi are two different language with their own script. I am sure not even 1% of Hindu know Urdu, other than few old timers. And not even .01% of Pakistani can read Hindi. All they can claim is understand what is spoken and not even interpret properly. Only exception are folks who are Indian Muslim, who have studied Urdu in home and Hindi or local language in school.

    I dare you – come up with rational to back your claims and stop using dramatic verses – you are making serious claims on origin of attack.

    And I take this strong position because you launched veiled attack on people like me – in a billion expect more than just me to stand up.

  19. Mash says:

    Imran, reread your first comment and see if you can find the ad hominem attack. It should be pretty clear to you.

    You are picking a fight where none exists.

    If reading my blog post about the interview gets you this revved up then you shouldn’t read most analysis of the Mumbai attacks that is on the the web these days. Even the Times of India says these terrorists had local help – given the coordination of the attacks it would surprise me if they didn’t. If that speculation upsets you, or if you take that as an insult to an entire nation, then rational discussion is really difficult.

    As I have recommended above, you might want to spend time reading my other blog posts on South Asia to get some perspective on my outlook on the situation. However, you seem more intent on venting. Given the scope and scale of the tragedy, I obviously understand the anger and the frustration.

  20. Imran says:

    There is no ad hominem. Perhaps you need to learn English:

    http://www.answers.com/topic/ad-hominem

    It says:
    Appealing to personal considerations rather than to logic or reason

    And that is precisely where you stand and NOT me.

    I never said locals were not involved. Actually that vidicates my point that Pakistanis are culprit. As I said with respect to Iraqis and Americans. Now I will reverse the role and let you understand. Do you know of Aldrich Ames? Would you consider him a sell out or an American? Don’t you have people like that in your nation? But would you blame every Pennsyvanian of German decent for what he did? Hey you fought Germans in second world war too – didn’t you? The way Ames cannot be lead condemn of Million German origin people in USA, use same yard stick and do not say Muslims helped. The way Ames was a Russian sell out – same are these traitors. Enough for your ‘ad hominem’ attack. You need to show better face and back out with respect. You say – ‘terrorists are at least Indian Muslims’. I find it strange that you do not accept the evidence of accent and words used, but you vouch on what these terror mongers say. I have never said that there is no misguided one in India. All that I said is that this was done by Pakistanis and confronted your statement that these may not be Pakistanis. You wrote:

    “According to my wife, people from Hyderabad, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and other places would speak with similar accents. His accent is not common to Pakistan. Also of note, his manner of speaking is very colloquial and does not suggest a high level of education.”

    No no – this is very Pakistani accent and this is not at all an accent heard in India. You are misguiding everyone by making false statements.

    Doesn’t colloquial mean local? Do you know how far is Hyderabad from Pakistan? Do you own a map of India (no satire or pun, just asking in good faith)?

    Other than these points, I find your creative ideas disgusting at the best.

  21. subodh says:

    Dont quite understand the whole hullabaloo about the origin of this terrorist – the truth should come out soon – so lets wait to pass judgement on that. I personally doubt very much that he is from hyderabad.

    I am from mumbai – I am 100% sure he is not from there. I do know a a few muslims from hyderabad and none of them speak the way this fellow does. On the other hand there is no denying that there is definitely local support for the same. The 93 blasts are fresh in my memory and they were accomplished by one well known indian muslim – Dawood Ibrahim and the Memon family – again these are indian muslims. Pakistanis cannot carry such a big operation without local support. Having said that ..of course Mr. Dawood does have his pakistani supporters – else he would have been behind bars by now.

    I do have a few friends from pakistan and none of them speak in the accent like this guy – I don’t think i am qualified to say for sure the accent is Pakistani. The way he said Demand – there definitely was a punjabi kick to it. For all you know it could be and indian masquerading as a pakistani or vice-versa.

    My exposure to Hyderabadi street urdu is the movie Hyderabadi Nawabs – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYsqEXicqvY and another one called “The Angrez” – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgq8qLe-RsI&feature=related – the terrorist surely did not sound like that 🙂

    Also, knowing Mash – he is definitely no lover of Pakistani politics 🙂 and would not go out of his way to justify Pakistani interests.

  22. Jay says:

    Mash, i am not an expert in linguistics but i can vouch for the Muslim’s in our country. There might be a few misguided souls in every community in India including Muslims, but they have always been patriotic by any standards. I am a hindu and would say that my muslim countrymen have equally laid down their lives for this country when there was need for it. They have not been influenced by the “wahabi” culture and have been part of the secular fabric our our society. In our country we dont identify people based on religion , but based on the individuality. So if you are not clear about something please donot comment about it and blame my fellow countrymen.

  23. Mash says:

    Jay, I dont disagree with you for the most part and that was not the intention of this blog post. However, commenters seem to be upset that I suggested the caller could be local based on the interview. If you disagree with my assessment that is ok. I made an observation after translating the interview. My main goal was to offer the translation, which I believe is accurate (at least no one seems to dispute the translation). But, interpreting what I wrote to mean that I am blaming India or saying Indian Muslims are not patriotic is a complete and ludicrous misreading of my post. Yet, that seems to be the point everyone seems to be chewing on.

    I admire your love for your country but I do think that when you write in your comment “in our country we dont identify people based on religion , but based on the individuality.”, you are stating an ideal that one aspires to and one that is true for the vast majority of citizens. It is however a painful reality that there are extremists within India that have not lived up to that ideal, that they have in fact targetted people because of their religion (this is not unique to India by any means). There have been very high profile incidents in recent years of extremists from both religions murdering large numbers of Hindus and Muslims. To deny that would be to deny reality.

  24. noname says:

    OK, Mash,
    Imran gave a list of words used that are not used in Hyderabadi Urdu but used in Pakistani Urdu. Does your wife have a similar list of words used by the terrorist that are used in Hyderabad but not in Pakistan? On what basis are you claiming that the accent is Hyderabadi?

  25. Mash says:

    noname, I am not particularly claiming anything. The caller claimed he was Hydrabadi. You don’t agree, that’s fine. I wrote that it was her opinion that this did not sound like a Pakistani accent. Many commenters have argued that the accent is not Hydrabadi, and I haven’t disputed it. The points the commenters have made are here for everyone to read. People can make up their own minds, if they care. I am guessing far more people are interested in the translation itself.

    If you guys want to keep arguing a point that I have not disputed, go ahead. I however dont have the interest or the inclination to get into an argument by proxy on the finer points of regional accents.

  26. Khurram says:

    Imran how you know Pakistani Urdu the accent used by terrorist is not Pakistani now few things if you are speaking Urdu you never say Karega (Chtui Kereyga)instead you will ker raingey , Kardega is usally used by Pathan or some one who can ot spaek Urdu Like Americans or British he cant be pathan because his accent was Punjabi( Not Pakistani Punjabi)the terrorist was trying to vary the accent second Pakistani dont say “Kyun Ki” instead right word is “Kyun key” and what was Indain Navy doing when they entered in Indaian waters what were they when they even detect Pakistani Fishing Trawlers in INdain waters. my friends your Media is making you fool.and please stop blaming Pakistan for all your problems. and Mr. Sobuj what you thing of us Fool copy pasting a comments from You Tube

  27. Imran says:

    Khurram,

    Walikum Asalaam!

    The way you write – ‘ker raingey ‘ you seem from Pakistani Punjab – am I right? Just confirming. Please respond.

    I have a Achakzai friend who says he is Punjabi and I know Achakzais are from North, and his family speaks like that. I also understand that it is Pathan in the tape who has lived in Punjab. That was my context when I said Punjabi. Would you agree to that? Or are you pointing someone else? If you say it is Pathan, I will surely yield, it is a more complete answer – a Pathan, who has lived in Lahore.

    And that will surely bring it to an end. And I am sure you will agree that this Urdu is spoken nowhere in India, not in tone, accent or grammer. Your views. This kind is not even spoken in Karachi.

    Thanks Subodh for the video – it was nice of you. And Mash nothing against you – I appreciate your effort.

  28. Khurram says:

    Salam,
    NO Imran Pathan never speak like this not even if they lived in Lahore or aome where in Punjab Ker ain gey is pure Urdu for Example “Main un ki Chuti ker doonga or Chuti ker dain gey” ker dey ga is Pathan or Non Urdu speaker the accent is used in that INterview is more like Indian Kashmiri if you ever have any chance to speak any one. they guy in that interview is trying to change the accent I Live in Karachi we have all kind of people living in Karachi you named we have it (Punjabi,Bangali Baluchi russians, gurjati and even Indian Hindu) and Haiderabadi many of friends fore father came from Haiderabad Daccan. my grand father came from rai breli. secondly Subodh any one can post a video in You Tube and there is no way you can authenticate his or her Identity so Imran if belive that I feel sorry for you. In the End my Heartfull condolences to the all Indains In Pakistan we are felling same saddness and hurt we are also victim of terrorism. Allah Hafiz

  29. Ingrid says:

    since I lack time to read all the comments, I might repeat someone elses’;
    the attackers were very knowledgable of the environment which suggested local involvement. At least. Also, whaddaya know..there’s an upcoming election in India and supposedly the Indian gov’t was forewarned..by 3 mos. Where did the information line stop? Who’s to say? Perhaps one can look into two questions;
    one, who’s to gain in Indian politics of this event?
    two, who’s to gain in int’l politics with this event?
    I keep seeing this ‘divide and conquer’ and a lot of smoke..Admittedly not knowing this for sure but I get the feeling there’s more going on than is being reported, by either media or govt’..

    Ingrid

  30. Imran says:

    Khurram,

    Alhamdulillah.

    FBI is also interrogating the terrorist. We will know what they say very soon – ‘haath kangan ko aarasi kya – padhe likhe ko farasi kya?’

    You are no longer Indian – that is for sure. You folks moved to Pakistan – at the best your identity is a mujahir identity. With that said – let me tear your post. These people are from Indian Kashmir – that is what you say. A person who finds it hard to differentiate betweeen Indian and Pakistani says he can differentiate between Pakistan ocuppied Kashmir folks and Indian Kashmiri Muslims. I find it funny. You could have said – Kashmiri that would have been better. And you are unnessecarily attacking Subodh – he just showed how language is spoken in Hyderabad. Yes it is kind of language more likely from Charminar and close area than what these terrorists have said. Secondly, from what you said – it means that these terrorists are NOT from southern part of India. That was first point in my comment – you support me on that. Now Kashmiri – well I am yet to find a Kashmiri with color like this and body like this. They are average built. Even if they are found Kashmiri, it will still proove what I said – Pakistanis got it done. No way that people who cannot make more than few rupees a day or less that few dollars a day can afford to cross Arabian Sea and attack a big city with AK47 and AK56. Do you get it now?

    We are same religion, but what people of Pakistan is not getting is as follows: everytime you do such a thing, out life is geopardized. We have friends who are Hindu, who are Christians and who are Sikhs. We would not like to fight them because you feel we should fight. You ahve problem with Government of India – ask your goverment to talk. You have issues with our peace, try to esatblish your peace. You folks are only nation, who had problem with every neighbour. Now even China is facing issue with what you are doing in Uighur.

    I am explaining you because I understand Ummah. But what you folks understand about Islam and Pakistan is fort of Islam is an abberation. A nation where moon sighting for declaring of Eid can create faction and fight needs to look inside itself. A nation which thinks if moon shows in Saudi, they will celebrate Eid is not even Islamic. Am I not correct? I sighted this example to show how you folks talk about Ummah but are so localized that cannot accept one day for Eid. You folks need introspection for years to follow.

    Now with regard to attack, why is every Pakistani talking on Marriot hotel and Islamabad? Is there any connection, may I ask? Old saying goes – ‘Chor is dadhi main tinka’. I am no one to challenge your understanding of Islam. Islam in meaning means peace, but that is not what we see from Pakistan. I am no authority to ask anyone to do shahada, but I have been told shahada has a deeper meaning and that encompasses all pillars of Islam. Can I expect a thought from you? Am I asking too much.

    If you would have seen 13 year old, whose parents, uncle, auntie and cousins died and he is Muslim. His brother said – they have been buried – Hindus don’t bury. Is that painful Hindus feel the same pain so do Jews and Christians.

    I accept your condolences, we need to make it better world – InshaAllah. May there be no killing in name of terror, may there be peace.

    Khuda Hafiz.

  31. Robin Khundkar says:

    Dear Mash
    My wife is of Hyderabadi Indian Muslim origin. That man was speaking with a lowkey but distinct Punjabi accent.

    Hyderabadi urdu is also very distinct & unique with a lot kaiko and nakko intersperced. This was not the same

    Robin

  32. Karimulla says:

    Where is your wife? Where is she from?
    I am from Hyderabad myself and we dont use such words. I work with people from Pakistan and have Pakistani friends as well and the caller’s accent was clearly a Pakistani Punjabi accent. The prononounciation of certain words was distinctly Punjabi. Where is that wife of yours? Well meet her in the evening and throw a nice party and let go of all our anger on her…

  33. Imran says:

    MR,

    I like your articles, do not rush on conclusions so fast. Pakistani establishment has a history of what it is doing. Let us see drama that shaped 1970s and led to this state what subcontinent is in today and we need to understand Bhutto as he was the lead in movement. I will site few examples on what Bhutton and Pakistani did to Kashmir.

    On March 2, 1963 he signed treaty with China and transferred 750 square kilometres of territory from Pakistan-administered Kashmir to Chinese control.

    He refused Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Six point movement for regional autonomy.

    When Sheikh Mujib’s Awami League won an outright majority from the constituencies located in East Pakistan. Bhutto refused to accept an Awami League government

    Trust me if they had Nukes in 1971 – they would have surely bombed Bangladesh.

    The Constitution of 1973 of Pakistan merged Kashmir with rest of its land. It is neither a country nor a province now. Is that how you treat an area when on one hand you are running to UNO? In fact, Article 9 of the POK Constitution, imposes “reasonable restrictions in the interests of the security of AJK and friendly relations with Pakistan”. Your stand makes me laugh, if you still trust this monster.

    POK was devoid of franchise till 1960, since no election was held till then.

    From 1960 to 1975 the only elections held were indirect.

    POK has been effectively governed through the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs in Islamabad and through a Chief Advisor of the rank of a Joint Secretary.

    Since Bhutto’s Constitution in 1974, the main executive authority in POK rests with the Council of which the Pakistan PM is the Chairman and which he dominates with his six nominees.

    If Kashmiris should have issue, they should have issue with Islamabad. What Pakistan is doing, is brain washing these people and sending to India, both are wrong , just like Rezakars. On their back – they are doing what Ayub Khan or Yahya Khan said of Bangldesh – inki nasal badal denge. Many Kashmiri girls on Pakistani side ended up as whore in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. Many more are married forcibly in Punjabi clan. Just like 1971 when Pakistani did same to Bangladeshi women or maybe even worse as they have nowhere to run, no one to save. On Indian side, no one who is not Kashmiri is allowed to buy land there. In Pakistani side, except for mountains, you will find more Punjabis than Kashmiris. (Chittgong of 1971?).

    It is like Hitler trying to grab power and control by burning German Parliament to Richard Nixon lying his nation. Difference is that it is most covert.

    MR – I hope you understand what Karim said was in fit of anger. Nowhere you or your wife is targetted, we are indeed shocked and disgusted.

    We are fighting for our clean image, not that there will never be a crazy idiot, but more or less we are as good as any Indian. We do not want Pakistan to control our destiny, simply because ther could not take care of their subjects ever. You could have made your posting more meaningful.

    Khuda Hafiz!

  34. Imran says:

    MR,

    I like your articles, do not rush on conclusions so fast. Pakistani establishment has a history of what it is doing. Let us see drama that shaped 1970s and led to this state what subcontinent is in today and we need to understand Bhutto as he was the lead in movement. I will site few examples on what Bhutton and Pakistani did to Kashmir.

    On March 2, 1963 he signed treaty with China and transferred 750 square kilometres of territory from Pakistan-administered Kashmir to Chinese control.

    He refused Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Six point movement for regional autonomy.

    When Sheikh Mujib’s Awami League won an outright majority from the constituencies located in East Pakistan. Bhutto refused to accept an Awami League government

    Trust me if they had Nukes in 1971 – they would have surely bombed Bangladesh.

    The Constitution of 1973 of Pakistan merged Kashmir with rest of its land. It is neither a country nor a province now. Is that how you treat an area when on one hand you are running to UNO? In fact, Article 9 of the POK Constitution, imposes “reasonable restrictions in the interests of the security of AJK and friendly relations with Pakistan”. Your stand makes me laugh, if you still trust this monster.

    POK was devoid of franchise till 1960, since no election was held till then.

    From 1960 to 1975 the only elections held were indirect.

    POK has been effectively governed through the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs in Islamabad and through a Chief Advisor of the rank of a Joint Secretary.

    Since Bhutto’s Constitution in 1974, the main executive authority in POK rests with the Council of which the Pakistan PM is the Chairman and which he dominates with his six nominees.

    If Kashmiris should have issue, they should have issue with Islamabad. What Pakistan is doing, is brain washing these people and sending to India, both are wrong , just like Rezakars. On their back – they are doing what Ayub Khan or Yahya Khan said of Bangldesh – inki nasal badal denge. Many Kashmiri girls on Pakistani side ended up as whore in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. Many more are married forcibly in Punjabi clan. Just like 1971 when Pakistani did same to Bangladeshi women or maybe even worse as they have nowhere to run, no one to save. On Indian side, no one who is not Kashmiri is allowed to buy land there. In Pakistani side, except for mountains, you will find more Punjabis than Kashmiris. (Chittgong of 1971?).

    It is like Hitler trying to grab power and control by burning German Parliament to Richard Nixon lying his nation. Difference is that it is most covert.

    MR – I hope you understand what Karim said was in fit of anger. Nowhere you or your wife is targetted, we are indeed shocked and disgusted.

    We are fighting for our clean image, not that there will never be a crazy idiot, but more or less we are as good as any Indian. We do not want Pakistan to control our destiny, simply because ther could not take care of their subjects ever. You could have made your posting more meaningful.

    Khuda Hafiz!

  35. Mash says:

    Karimulla, your threat is duly noted, as is your IP address. For the record, Karimmulla, I notice that you are making your threat of violence from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

    Imran, I do not understand Karimulla’s point of view, as you say I should. It should concern you that you do. This commenter makes an overt threat and you “understand”, and I write a post that you disagree with and you repeat the same points ad nauseum. You should really consider how it is that extremist violence gets its support. As I have said before, you continue to pick a fight where none exists.

  36. Imran says:

    Perfect – any disagreement with you is picking up a fight. But your sticking to concocted facts is progressive posting. The truth comes from bedroom – that is what you call objective. So lame!

    Extremist violence comes when non-existent theories and lies are brought into play like (for example), every problem in world is due to America and Israel. I do not buy it.

    You should be thankful for teen bigha and numerous other gifts to Bangladesh from India. Be thankful to us for saving you from your western brothers and if you still do not see what I say – go see languishing Biharis in Dhaka. That is how you treat Muslims in Bangladesh! Now they are what world calls ‘opressed lot’. Go fix your home before pointing finger at us – stop harboring lies through your posts.

    In few keyboard presses – you have alienated a netizen who liked your other posts, elsewhere on net too. You failed to provoke me. You are actually arrogant and unyielding even if truth is presented. You are not worth my replies Mashuqur Rahman. You are a hypocrite.

    No more from me. Goodbye.

  37. jasper says:

    Imran the a**hole, Mash never claimed that his wife’s words were absolute truth. He repeatedly said that he only presented his wife’s translation and his own opinion, and that he personally did not have knowledge on any of the dialects. You and other morons decided to keep your head (assuming it contains some grey matter) buried deep in the sand. Mash also never claimed that any of the other opinions are totally wrong.
    You repeatedly tried to establish your opinion as the ‘truth’. That is arrogant and revolting.
    In comment #3 you said “Your wife is …… pretty sympathetic for terrorist”. Just because she thought the accent sounded Indian – you label her as terrorist sympathizer??? F*** you – you Hyedrabai bigot.
    Deb, your uncouth and odious comments do not deserve any response.
    Deb (#13 and #14),
    Karimulla, you MoFo better not set foot on U.S. soil – because under the law of the land you could be arrested and thrown in jail – you have incriminated yourself on somebody’s blog (an open forum) by making vulgar comments about his wife and expressed your desire to hurt her.

  38. Imran says:

    Jasper,

    Speak for yourself. Name calling is knee jerk. At least Mash is respectful in all his posts and he was all thru and thru well behaved. Read his other posts(although you do not seem literate). One will surely respect him for his knowledge. But you are not even worth talking to. I will now see how Mash accepts your post!

    Even if he doesn’t admonish you – no way he will be any less knowledgable. But his reaction is going to make it or break it. Mash till now has been pretty tenacious in what he understands is correct – full marks on that. On the other hand, you will probably be ashamed to read your post after few days, if you have grey matter and not a bigot or what you call your name with two **. In all this, your post is worst followed by Karim’s.

    Now about bigot – I had thought of using same word for someone, but I restrained because I have grey matter, looks otherwise for you though. And as we say in Subcontinent – jab do akal wale baaten karten hain to bewakoofon ko chup rehna chahiye. Isse bewakoofi ki khabar kisi ko bhi nahin hoti hai.

    Why am I getting the feeling that you are a Pakistani hiding under name Jasper? Third world antics?

  39. Mash says:

    Imran, I will give you my answer to your comments in #36 and #38 in two short words.

    Here it is: “Fuck off”. Although I doubt you will heed the advice.

    I see no further cause for restrained language following your comments in #36.

    Jasper, always good to see you 🙂

  40. Imran says:

    That was expected Mashuqur Rahman. You may want to hurl more filth, but I will not stoop down!

    Here is the missing link reported from UK:

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/07/mumbai-terrorism-india-pakistan

  41. Karimulla says:

    Dear All,

    I agree with Imran, the things I said were in a fit of anger. Im just a little tired of being a target just because Im a muslim. Its completely unfair to generalise about a community because of a few spineless freeks. Moreover, much of peoples opinions are biased and scewed because of medias influence. I ask you to try and look at it from our point of view and understand what you would feel like if your religion is continuously labelled as one that preaches ‘terrorism’. Islam preaches peace not unjust violence.

    Regardless, my apologies to ure wife Mr. Mash. Just a request to you and your wife, not to make comments on which community the caller could belong to as you can see it has caused a lot of unnecessary unpleasantness and mudslinging.

    Karimulla

  42. Shoaib says:

    Hi,

    I actually agree with your wife Mash, even though I dont think this is someone with urdu as his mother tounge. In Pakistan you find people who have lived in Karachi for three generation, but their urdu still has a punjabi touch. In much the same way people have mixed dialects in India I guess. But a number of words he was speaking were not Pakistani, despite the hosts remarks in the end. His location to Kashmir might be right though, but I would bank on indian kashmir.

    But, the real question is, was it genuine? Was it the terrorist calling? I very much doubt that actually.

    My main point is why would they call the program, and not even know what demands they have?

    I would think this was a decoy to create confusion, someone with a sick sense of humour or someone just plainly sick.

  43. Anadi says:

    Guys,
    I read this blog after a longish interregnum. While i agree with Imran that Mash should be publicly flogged, but thats because of my personal dislike of him.

    I watched the entire coverage of mumbai attacks and suspected that the terrorist might be home grown. I was relieved when it was established that they came from pakistan.

    There is no telling where terrorist may come from. Recently we found a few hindu terrorist too! Many of us have a very sanitized image of India in our heads – but in reality, the two countries are more alike then different. Non state actors are aplenty in India – just look at the maoist and naxals rebels in large swathe of the country.

    I hope that we will be able to bring all dissenters – hindu, muslim, sikh, christens, naxals and maoist to the democratic process and a court house, rather then egging them on while they pickup gun.

    I think india is at war with itself and all patriots are focusing on education for all, clean politics, advancing personal freedom and general development.

    We are winning too – look at the Right to Information Act and Kashmir elections. India’s war of independence goes on.

    Here is an open offer to all moderate paki’s – move eastwards and join India (well, the smart ones are already here). Leave the wild west for the tribal to reclaim their honor and fight a 1000 year war.

    anadi

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