The German Bakery in Pune was a terrorist target because it was frequented by foreigners and the possibility of an indigenous terror group being involved in the attack could not be ruled out,a leading US-based strategic think-tank has said. "No group has yet claimed responsible for the Pune attack,but indigenous Islamist groups certainly cannot be ruled out," Stratfor said in its analysis of the Pune terrorist attack on Saturday that killed nine people. While no terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack,it is similar to the type that occurred with frequency before the commando-style Mumbai attack,and the bakery may have been targeted because it was known to be frequented by foreigners,the Stratfor said yesterday. The bakery was also near many hotels that housed visitors to Osho Ashram. Other sites known to attract foreign visitors are also nearby,including a Jewish cultural center. "The attack was the first significant bombing in India since Mumbai,but it was a fairly simple operation and involved only a single explosive device," the Stratfor said. Stratfor said indigenous Islamic groups such as the Indian Mujihadeen claimed responsibility for the attacks leading up to Mumbai,for which the Pakistani-based Islamist group Lashkar-e-Taiba is believed to be responsible. "An attack like the one against the German bakery in Pune,involving fewer people and fewer targets,would require less preparation time and communications and likely attract less attention from Indian authorities,and thus have a far higher chance of succeeding," it added.
