WASHINGTON: The United States has been working with India, Britain and other partners to prevent a Mumbai-like terrorist attack, says the US State Department.

On Monday, The New York Times reported that the 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai, which killed 166 people, could have been prevented if there was better coordination among Indian, British and American intelligence agencies.

Also read: US, UK, India spies missed Mumbai terror alerts

“Over the last six years, the intelligence community here in the United States has worked with all of our partners to make sure we’re best positioned to stop attacks like Mumbai before they ever happen again,” US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters in Washington.

The official, however, noted that it’s always challenging to put together all the puzzle pieces from various agencies and depict a comprehensive picture.

She pointed out that after the Mumbai attack US, British and Indian intelligence agencies and their partners had taken steps to improve their ability to prevent these kinds of attacks.

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2014