India, some believed about to climb onto the world scene as an economic or military powerhouse - unable to contain the events, unable to reel in what is out of control - an intelligence service and military that is seemingly unaware and out of the loop, will never climb anywhere, let alone onto a world stage, at least not among serious adults.
An editorial from OutlookIndia:
How Safe Are Our Nukes?
I shiver and sweat at the thought of what is waiting to happen tomorrow and where. The mind boggles as one tries to think and figure out how the terrorists could have planned and carried out terrorist strikes of such magnitude, territorial spread and ferocity without our intelligence and police having been able to get scent of it
"The war of civilisation between the Muslims and the infidels has begun in Indian territory." So said the first statement issued in the name of the so-called Indian Mujahideen (IM) in November, 2007, after the three orchestrated explosions in three towns of Uttar Pradesh outside local courts.
We saw the latest round of this war in Mumbai on the night of November 26, 2008, as an unestimated number of terrorists--divided into small groups and wielding hand-held weapons and improvised explosive devices (IEDs)--literally took control of Mumbai and targeted with frightening precision famous hotels preferred by the rich of the country and foreign tourists, railway stations, a hospital and many other places scattered across this business capital of India.
It is not just 9/11. It is not just Madrid, March, 2004. It is not just London, 2006.
It is -- I am using the present tense because the situation is still not under control at 6:45 AM despite the Army's assistance being sought--an act of terrorism, the like of which the world has not seen before. The mind boggles as one tries to think and figure out how the terrorists could have planned and carried out terrorist strikes of such magnitude, territorial spread and ferocity without our intelligence and police having been able to get scent of it. Like what the Vietcong did during the Tet offensive.
Status Day 1-1.5:
Bombay stock exchange, schools to remain closed
NSG commandos begin operations at Trident (formerly Oberoi)hotel and Nariman House to flush out terrorists
Six foreigners being held hostage in Oberoi hotel
Taj Colaba, a heritage building, housing some of India's finest paintings, damaged by a raging fire
Two terrorists inside the Taj killed. But more suspected to be still inside
Many still trapped inside the fire-ravaged hotel
Earlier, two terrorists killed at Chaupat. Nine terrorists arrested
Train services resume after being suspended all night.
Toll crosses 100
A total of eleven policemen, including five officers, killed
Anti-Terrorism Squad Chief Hemant Karkare killed
Gun battle outside Metro cinema hall -- Additional Commissioner Ashok Kamte and encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar killed
A little known outfit calling itself "Deccan Mujahideen" claimed responsibility for attacks.
Colaba: BP Petrol Pump blown up. 10 killed
Taxi blown up in Vile Parle
Foreigners targeted for maximum impact
Status Day 2:
Mumbai Terror Attack Updates Day 2
- Indian forces poised to storm two hotels and Chabad center where terrorists are holding hostages, including Israelis.
- Israel-India flights continue on schedule. One carried a group of Israeli doctors for Mumbai.
- The Islamist terrorists attacking Mumbai for the second day came from outside the country.
- Indian security sources report many Israeli hostages in the Oberoi Hotel, which the terrorists still control amid sustained gunfire in the lobby.
- Heavy battles resume in the Taj Palace Hotel.
- Indian naval troops board the MV Alpha freighter suspected of having sailed the terrorists to Mumbai's shore from Karachi, Pakistan.
- Anti-tanks missiles handed out to Indian commando force battling terrorists at Taj Palace hotel.
- Indian general: Four or five terrorists inside Chabad Center.
- Islamist shooting attacks and blasts spread to southern Mumbai away from the hotel district ---
- Terrorists hurl grenades at Indian forces surrounding Chabad Center and the Oberoi hotel.
- Fighting flares up anew in the Taj Palace Hotel said to have been cleared Thursday. Some hostages escaped and many bodies were found in guests' rooms.
- Terrorists are still holed up at the Oberoi Hotel and Chabad Center with hostages, including Israelis, under police-commando siege.
- A loud explosion at the Oberoi Hotel as some of the hundreds of hostages escape.
- A woman and child held at Chabad center came out of the building.
- The Mumbai stock exchange stays shut.
- Police sappers defuse bombs containing RDX strewn across the town.
- International airlines cancel flights to the beleaguered Indian town.
-The terrorists wear elite military unit uniforms. Each has an automatic rifle, grenades and military-style kit.
Just the 2008 attacks in India:
November 26/27, 2008: At least 80 killed and close to 300 killed in serial terror attacks in Mumbai
October 30, 2008: At least 66 killed and close to 500 injured in blasts--reported to be between 13 to 18 -- across Assam.
October 21, 2008: 17 killed in a powerful blast near Manipur Police Commando complex in Imphal
October 14, 2008: Eight people injured after bomb planted on a rented bicycle went off in Kanpur's Colonelganj market.
September 29, 2008: Blast in Modasa in Gujarat kills one and in Malegaon of Maharashtra kills five
September 27, 2008: Blast in Mehrauli area of Delhi, kill three people.
September 13, 2008: Serial blasts rocked major shopping areas in New Delhi killing close to 30 people.
July 26, 2008: Serial blasts -- as many as 21 -- in Ahmedabad kill close to 60 and injure over 200
July 25, 2008: Seven blasts strike the IT city of Bangalore killing at least two people and wounding at least 20.
May 13, 2008: Eight serial blasts rock Jaipur in a span of 12 minutes leaving 65 dead and over 150 injured.
January 1, 2008: Terrorist attack on CRPF camp in Rampur kills eight.
Over 330 people dead, in just 2008. India is battling terrorism, and is vulnerable. It can never be a world anything until it effectively closes the holes that make Indians vulnerable.
It is, as the terrorists stated in 2007, seemingly the front lines for the war on civilization.
It is interesting that statement from that group was never made public in the West, for it defines al qaida and everything al qaida has stated in every rabid pronouncement offered up to Arab media and al jazeera. It is only in Western media that the rabid statements are softened, and why? So we believe it is not what it is. India knows what it is. Over 100 dead knew what it was.
When will we realize, what will it take for us to wake up?
When w
Posts
