WASHINGTON, DC – On November 26, 2018, President Trump addressed the families and friends of the Mumbai terror attack victims in the following manner: “On the ten-year anniversary of the Mumbai terror attack, the US stands with the people of India in their quest for justice. The attack killed 166 innocents, including six Americans. We will never let terrorists win, or even come close to winning.”
According to the Indian and American investigators, the 2008 Mumbai attack was a collaborative effort by the Pakistani military intelligence and the Islamic organization, Lashkar-e-Taiba. All ten of the attackers were Pakistani nationals. Zabiuddin Ansari, one of the accomplices, confirmed that military and intelligence officials in a control room in Karachi supervised the attack.
The testimonies of the gunman and Pakistani-American collaborator revealed that the terrorists got intensive training as well as financial and logistical support from military commandants such as Colonel Hamza, Major Iqbal, and Major Samir Ali. According to US intelligence, the military coached the terrorists in marine warfare, SERE, high-end sophisticated arms, ammunition, and explosives use, and commando feints and maneuvering.
This incident claimed the lives of citizens from various countries. The terrorists identified the hostages based on religion and country. They spared and released the Muslims while all Hindus and Jews, including US and Israeli citizens, were slain. The terrorists particularly targeted Chabad House since it is a Jewish community center. They spared no one, including slaughtering Rabbi Holtzberg and his pregnant wife Rivka Holtzberg inside Nariman House.
Although Indian law enforcement apprehended and eliminated the terrorists, the plotters and funders remain free to carry out similar strikes at will. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, according to Pakistani media, has openly condemned his country’s institutions for inaction against the plotters. According to reports, the Chinese government continues to provide moral and diplomatic assistance to the masterminds.
After years of distancing itself from Pakistan, the US government has once again thrown its weight behind the Pakistan Army, which inevitably emboldens the country’s terrorist masterminds.
In 2025, Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir visited the United States twice, in June and August. The first visit included a historic lunch with President Donald Trump at the White House, during which Trump stated that he felt ‘honored to meet the best fighter’ and ‘favorite field marshal’. Since then, President Trump has showered the Pakistan army with various strategic favors.
Giving a new life to the Pakistani military is a setback for the families and friends of American victims who have waited 17 long years without justice. They believe that the White House has vindicated and acquitted the Pakistani armed forces of their cardinal role in terrorism.
Thanks to President Trump, Pakistan’s army is significantly stronger today than it was last year. A future role for Pakistani terror-handlers to tackle terrorism in the Middle East is like sending arsonists to put out fires. This policy serves no purpose other than to replenish Rawalpindi’s coffers and resuscitate the tanking military-economy.
Growing confrontations with the Taliban motivate Pakistani generals to support ISIS and employ American funds against American interests. Pakistan will utilize its restored power and leverage against India, benefiting China in the long run.
Following American visits, General Asim Munir reinvoked the two-nation theory and Islamic terrorism in Kashmir. In October 2025, he vowed at the Kakul Academy to build military capability to break India’s geographical war-space immunity.
The anniversary of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack arrives just one day before Thanksgiving. This year, President Trump remained silent on social media over the Mumbai attacks. An American president validating Pakistan’s army betrays the victims of terror. It dashes all hope of justice and grants the Pakistani terrorists impunity for future escapades.
Pakistanis have much to thank Trump this Thanksgiving.
Senge Sering
Senge Sering is a native of Pakistan-occupied-Gilgit-Baltistan and runs the Washington DC based Gilgit Baltistan Studies
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