Reality Check

I have been browsing through the News Channels & Web world. I am very sad and moved after reading and watching the incidents in Mumbai.

In recent years, terrorist attacks in India have become as much a part of life as the monsoon squalls. The only difference has been their unpredictability, as opposed to the regularity of the monsoons. The well-coordinated and large scale assault on Mumbai last week are not only qualitatively different, but also came with a chillingly new message. They will not let us Indian's leave in peace. 

The sixty - hour terror rampage that killed 195 people across our financial capital ended Saturday when commandos killed the last of three gunmen inside Taj while it was engulfed in flames. Previous attacks by Islamist youth and Kashmiri separatists were aimed at damaging our economic and political stability and inciting violence between majority Hindus and the substantial Muslim minority. They have tried to jolt our political system, hurt our business centers and science and technology hub, provoke inter-religious strife (attacking Hindu shrines and people during Hindu celebrations), and promote a sense of terror and helplessness among us. We can’t imagine the trauma of the people who were trapped and lost their nearer & dearer.

A previously unknown Muslim group - Deccan Mujahideen, which alludes to a region in southern India traditionally ruled by Muslim kings, claimed responsibility for the attack, but the officials point out that the sole surviving gunman is from Pakistan. Had it not been for the Commands, the Police and the NSG, at least 5,000 people would have been killed. Thank God, this brutal plan was not executed to precision.

I have seen cries for war with Pakistan in the media and web world after the attack on Mumbai. In my opinion, this would only help the enemies of peace. This attack I believe, was to destabilize & weaken the relationship between the elected Governments in India and Pakistan, to induce the feeling among foreigners that India is not among the places to visit or Invest. If the current elected Government in Pakistan had any sort of control over these extremists, then this massacre would not have happened.

There is a complex nexus of religious fanatic fundamentalists, army & intelligence. This hatred is the only key to their very own survival. Only a strong and stable Government in Pakistan can put an end to terrorism within their boundaries. But as such, I believe this will remain a dream. If such a Government ever comes to power, it will reduce the power of army & Islamic fundamentalists in Pakistan. To make things worse we have fanatics & fundamentalists this side of border who are only helping them with irrational & irresponsible comments. 

The other sinister message of the terrorists this time is that they have an international agenda. Despite their talk of Indian Muslims being oppressed and Kashmiris being killed, their focus on Americans and British citizens and Jewish nationals shows their global concern. The U.S. has emerged as a key ally of India, but Britain is not any closer than other European countries like France and Germany. The search for American and British citizens most probably has to do with the Iraq war, echoing the terrorist attacks in Britain on charges of British involvement in the suffering of Muslims.

With the end of one of the most brazen terror attacks in our history, attention has turned from the military operation to questions of who was behind the attack and the heavy toll on human life? How had they been able to organize and execute such an attack without local help? If this is the case - who are those who have been helping these elements? What steps have been taken to nullify them? Why are the politicians given Z-category security when the lives of ordinary citizens cannot be protected?

I agree that we are not the only country to be affected by terrorism. For those who put forward this line of argument, I have questions. Can you tell me how many terror attacks have US faced after 9/11 or Britain after 7/7? The answer is ZERO. Does it mean that terrorists had not been targeting these countries? NO, their counter measures have been more effective.

"Forgiving a Terrorist is left to GOD; But fixing their appointment with GOD is our responsibility" INDIAN ARMY

To those who attack us : We are the people of the Largest Democracy in the World. We are not weak, we will not be weak - no matter what you do.