More than a month has passed since the dastardly attack on Mumbai and the life seems to have returned to normal (though the news channels and politicians on both sides of the border continue their endless tirade to whip-up mass hysteria).The Indian govt. has been repeatedly telling their Pakistan counterparts that the terrorists had come from Pakistan and have ample proofs to back their claims.The Pakistani side, for very obvious reasons, is displaying an ostrich like behavior where they are thinking that just by denying existence of facts ,facts would cease to exist.Pakistan has sponsored terrorism for so long and so extensively that now terrorists are more in control of Pakistan than the elected representatives.Yes,Pakistan also is a victim of terrorism ,but it is self-inflicted victim-hood.In fact Pakistan today is a shining (for all the wrong reasons)example of what happens when you dig a hole for others.My point here is not to engage in Pakistan bashing,on the contrary India would be better placed with a stable,democratic Pakistan instead of a banana republic as its neighbour.
India has to learn its lessons, some of which are :
1.It does not make sense to keep blaming Pakistan for all our ills.Yes,these terror groups operate with support from across the border but a Mumbai like attack is simply not possible without local complicity.How did the terrorists manage to enter with such huge cache of arms and ammunition without anyone raising an eyebrow ?
Rather than just focusing on Pakistan,Indian agencies would do well to find and bring to justice everyone who has knowingly or unknowingly abetted this terrorist act.
2.NSG operation simply took too long.Yes,the terrorists were very well trained and armed to the teeth,plus they also had taken hostages.But even then the NSG operation should have been much more swift.There cannot be room for any bureaucratic delay in NSG operations .In fact ,officers in Army also do not consider NSG operation an unqualified success as it stretched for too long,far too many people were killed and terrorists achieved almost all their aims.It sounds bitter ,but it is true unfortunately.
3.Intrusive media coverage, which aided the terrorists and impaired the NSG commandos,was another factor which i felt put additional pressure on NSG to be extra careful and hence the delay.The media, and it includes Miss Barkha Dutt's NDTV, played into the hands of terrorists by giving them not just round the clock non-stop coverage but also gave them all information concerning movement of Indian security forces as has been established by transcripts released by intelligence agencies.
4.Finally,people of India as well as Pakistan need to understand that war is not a solution.Lets try and co-exist rather than co-destruct.Pakistan has to curb the jihadi elements and put their house in order, as for India,we are better placed but there are glaring inequalities ,mass poverty,deprivation etc. ,all of which need persistent efforts.Internal security has to be a priority ,but surely it cannot take precedence over providing basic necessities of life.I rest my case.
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