Film backdrop image for A Perfect Terrorist (2013)

20131 minPGnews

Terrorism Military

A Perfect Terrorist

20131 minPGnews

Watch the investigation into David Headley's role in the November 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Terrorism Military

Genres

Channel: FRONTLINE PBS | Official

A Perfect Terrorist

2013• 1 minPG

Synopsis

Watch the investigation into David Headley's role in the November 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Synopsis

Watch the full-length episode detailing the events surrounding the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which resulted in the deaths of 166 people, including six Americans. The episode focuses on David Headley, who was tasked with scouting targets for the attacks. Headley, a member of the Islamic militant group Lashkar-i-Taiba since 2002, possessed a unique advantage: a U.S. passport. This documentary by FRONTLINE and ProPublica investigates Headley's transformation from a heroin dealer and U.S. government informant to a key figure in the planning of the attacks, revealing the complexities of his dual identity and the implications for national security.

Comments

What are people saying?

Play More Like This

USS Cole Attack: How The CIA Tried To Destroy Al Qaeda (2025)

USS Cole Attack: How The CIA Tried To Destroy Al Qaeda

This episode reveals the CIA's efforts after the USS Cole attack and al-Qaeda's escalation.

USS Cole Attack: How The CIA Tried To Destroy Al Qaeda

Black Ops: Inside Mumbai's Worst Jihadists Attacks (2025)

Black Ops: Inside Mumbai's Worst Jihadists Attacks

Mumbai endures a three-day terrorist attack in November 2008, as a Special Force responds.

Black Ops: Inside Mumbai's Worst Jihadists Attacks

Could the '08 Mumbai Attack Have Been Prevented? (American Terrorist) (2023)

Could the '08 Mumbai Attack Have Been Prevented? (American Terrorist)

David Coleman Headley, an American informant, played a crucial role in the 2008 Mumbai attack, raising questions about the effectiveness of U.S. intelligence.

Could the '08 Mumbai Attack Have Been Prevented? (American Terrorist)

Al Qaeda Group Claiming Responsibility for Charlie Hebdo Attack (2015)

Al Qaeda Group Claiming Responsibility for Charlie Hebdo Attack

Ghaith Abdul-Ahad reports on Al Qaeda's operations in Yemen and their claim for the Charlie Hebdo attack.

Al Qaeda Group Claiming Responsibility for Charlie Hebdo Attack

Inside the Empire of Terror (2023)

Inside the Empire of Terror

Ten million people live in territory controlled by the Islamic State, which spans an area comparable to Italy and generates billions in revenue.

Inside the Empire of Terror

The Fight Against Terrorism Before 9/11 (2021)

The Fight Against Terrorism Before 9/11

Eleven members of a Croatian terrorist organization were convicted and sentenced to up to 40 years in prison for their violent attacks in the U.S.

The Fight Against Terrorism Before 9/11

England's Extremists - UK (2008)

England's Extremists - UK

1.5 billion Muslims are implicated in a radical ideology as extremists in England exploit legal protections to spread their message of jihad.

England's Extremists - UK

Has the USA given terrorists the ultimate weapon? (2008)

Has the USA given terrorists the ultimate weapon?

Pakistan's nuclear proliferation network has been linked to clients like Libya and Iran, raising alarms about the potential for nuclear weapons to fall into terrorist hands.

Has the USA given terrorists the ultimate weapon?

Black Ops: The Takedown of Iraq's Most Wanted Terrorist (2025)

Black Ops: The Takedown of Iraq's Most Wanted Terrorist

A helicopter lifts off from a desert airbase in Iraq, carrying elite soldiers on a mission to arrest a senior member of al-Qaeda in Iraq.

Black Ops: The Takedown of Iraq's Most Wanted Terrorist

False Flag: Inside Manufactured Terror (2025)

False Flag: Inside Manufactured Terror

A couple planted bombs at the British Columbia legislature three years ago, influenced by police deceit and manipulation, according to court findings.

False Flag: Inside Manufactured Terror

The Fatal Flaw With Hitler’s Wonder-Weapon Obsession | How The Nazis Lost The War (2023)

The Fatal Flaw With Hitler’s Wonder-Weapon Obsession | How The Nazis Lost The War

Hitler's fixation on advanced weaponry, including giant tanks and jet fighters, ultimately hindered Germany's military effectiveness during World War II.

The Fatal Flaw With Hitler’s Wonder-Weapon Obsession | How The Nazis Lost The War

Errol Morris on Abu Ghraib (2014)

Errol Morris on Abu Ghraib

Over 150 hours of interviews with individuals involved in the Abu Ghraib events form the basis of Erol Morris's latest project.

Errol Morris on Abu Ghraib

Explore A Perfect Terrorist

Where else to watch

Shoot to Kill: Terror on the Tube (2024)

Shoot to Kill: Terror on the Tube

2024•1h20m•★10.0TMDB

On July 22, 2005, armed police shot Jean Charles de Menezes during a manhunt in London, mistaking him for a terrorist following the bombings.

Shoot to Kill: Terror on the Tube

American Terrorist: Could the '08 Mumbai Attack Have Been Prevented? (2015)

American Terrorist: Could the '08 Mumbai Attack Have Been Prevented?

2015•1h25m•★10.0TMDB

David Coleman Headley, a key planner of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, coordinated the assault from the U.S. while exploiting failures in electronic surveillance.

American Terrorist: Could the '08 Mumbai Attack Have Been Prevented?

The Anthrax Attacks: In the Shadow of 9/11 (2022)

The Anthrax Attacks: In the Shadow of 9/11

2022•1h34m•★6.7TMDB

Five people were killed and at least 17 injured in the 2001 anthrax attacks that followed the September 11 attacks, prompting a major FBI investigation.

The Anthrax Attacks: In the Shadow of 9/11

Terror (2019)

Terror

2019•1h40m•★6.5TMDB

Six episodes, each 45 minutes long, feature interviews with victims and perpetrators discussing personal stories related to terrorism.

(T)ERROR (2015)

(T)ERROR

2015•1h33m•★6.1TMDB

FBI counterterrorism operations are examined through the perspectives of a government informant and a radicalized target in this real-life account.

City of Photographers (2006)

City of Photographers

2006•1h20m•★7.8TMDB

Photographers risked their lives to document over 1,000 protests and strikes during Augusto Pinochet's military dictatorship in Chile.

City of Photographers

Browse more like this

USS Cole Attack: How The CIA Tried To Destroy Al Qaeda (2025)

USS Cole Attack: How The CIA Tried To Destroy Al Qaeda

This episode reveals the CIA's efforts after the USS Cole attack and al-Qaeda's escalation.

USS Cole Attack: How The CIA Tried To Destroy Al Qaeda

No digital watch option in your country

Black Ops: Inside Mumbai's Worst Jihadists Attacks (2025)

Black Ops: Inside Mumbai's Worst Jihadists Attacks

Mumbai endures a three-day terrorist attack in November 2008, as a Special Force responds.

Black Ops: Inside Mumbai's Worst Jihadists Attacks

No digital watch option in your country

Could the '08 Mumbai Attack Have Been Prevented? (American Terrorist) (2023)

Could the '08 Mumbai Attack Have Been Prevented? (American Terrorist)

David Coleman Headley, an American informant, played a crucial role in the 2008 Mumbai attack, raising questions about the effectiveness of U.S. intelligence.

Could the '08 Mumbai Attack Have Been Prevented? (American Terrorist)

No digital watch option in your country

Al Qaeda Group Claiming Responsibility for Charlie Hebdo Attack (2015)

Al Qaeda Group Claiming Responsibility for Charlie Hebdo Attack

Ghaith Abdul-Ahad reports on Al Qaeda's operations in Yemen and their claim for the Charlie Hebdo attack.

Al Qaeda Group Claiming Responsibility for Charlie Hebdo Attack

No digital watch option in your country

Black Ops: The Takedown of Iraq's Most Wanted Terrorist (2025)

Black Ops: The Takedown of Iraq's Most Wanted Terrorist

A helicopter lifts off from a desert airbase in Iraq, carrying elite soldiers on a mission to arrest a senior member of al-Qaeda in Iraq.

Black Ops: The Takedown of Iraq's Most Wanted Terrorist

No digital watch option in your country

The Fatal Flaw With Hitler’s Wonder-Weapon Obsession | How The Nazis Lost The War (2023)

The Fatal Flaw With Hitler’s Wonder-Weapon Obsession | How The Nazis Lost The War

Hitler's fixation on advanced weaponry, including giant tanks and jet fighters, ultimately hindered Germany's military effectiveness during World War II.

The Fatal Flaw With Hitler’s Wonder-Weapon Obsession | How The Nazis Lost The War

No digital watch option in your country

Terror in Mumbai (2009)

Terror in Mumbai

2009•50m•★7.4TMDB

On November 26, 2008, a coordinated terrorist attack at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai resulted in multiple casualties and widespread chaos.

Terror in Mumbai

The Last Days of Osama Bin Laden (2011)

The Last Days of Osama Bin Laden

2011•45m•★8.5TMDB

Five former CIA agents and Navy SEAL operatives provide firsthand accounts of the mission that led to Osama Bin Laden's death in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

The Last Days of Osama Bin Laden

Unmasking Jihadi John: Anatomy of a Terrorist (2019)

Unmasking Jihadi John: Anatomy of a Terrorist

2019•1h30m•★6.7TMDB

ISIS used social media platforms like Twitter and YouTube to recruit a generation of 'Jihadi millennials' for its propaganda efforts.

Unmasking Jihadi John: Anatomy of a Terrorist

13 novembre 2015 : anatomie d'une instruction (2022)

13 novembre 2015 : anatomie d'une instruction

2022•1h30m•★8.0TMDB

Fourteen European countries collaborate after the November 13, 2015, attacks in Paris to share intelligence and resources in counter-terrorism efforts.

13 novembre 2015 : anatomie d'une instruction

Aftermath: Unanswered Questions from 9/11 (2003)

Aftermath: Unanswered Questions from 9/11

2003•35m•★8.3TMDB

Stephen Marshall investigates the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, questioning the George W. Bush administration's actions and ties to the CIA and ISI.

Aftermath: Unanswered Questions from 9/11

Khon Boys (2023)

Khon Boys

2023•1h56m•★6.0TMDB

More than 100 students face state violence and oppression during their final years of study under Thailand's military regime following the 2014 coup.

Is this your film?

If you made this film or hold the rights to it, we'd like to talk. We can license it and pay you a share of what it earns.

License it with us →