MUMBAI TERRORIST ATTACKS

India’s second largest city Mumbai became the focus of world attention on 26th November, 2008, when it was rocked by a series of worst terrorist attacks. The terrorists opened fire at about half a dozen places in South Mumbai at around 10 p.m. killing 95 persons. They also took hundreds of hostage in the Taj Mahal and Oberoi Hotels after firing with AK-47 rifles. The terrorists also entered a hospital and fired at patients and police. Later, they hijacked a police official and disappeared.

The terrorist attacks took the city of 15 million people by surprise. Commandos battled for many hours to enter historic Taj Hotel. A fierce gun battle broke out at about 1 a.m. which engulfed the hotel in flames and smoke. The attackers also targeted Café Leopold a famous restaurant and hunted for British and American tourists. According to eye-witnesses, the terrorists were young boys of 20 to 25 years old dressed shirts.

India’s elite anti-terrorism force, the National Security Guard (NSG) and other agencies took more than 48-hours to clear the five star Taj Hotel of the terrorists. Chief Minister of Maharashtra Vilasarao Deshmukh said that about 25 terrorists were suspected to be involved in the attack on the mega city.

India’s Allegations:

India as usual lost no time in blaming Pakistan for the Mumbai terrorist attacks. Pakistan’s High Commissioner Shahid Malik was called to the Foreign Ministry in New Delhi and was informed that attacks on Mumbai were carried out by elements from Pakistan. Similarly, an Indian government statement said, “Government expects that strong action would be taken against those elements

whosoever they may be responsible for this act.” Indian Prime Minister Mohammedan Singh spoke to his Pakistani counterpart on telephone and requested him to send the intelligence chief to look at what he described as evidence which New Delhi thought linked Pakistan with the terror attack. Similarly, Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee declared that suspects of the Mumbai carnage might have links with Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Response to the Mumbai Carnage:

Contrary to India’s negative approach, Pakistan maintained a responsible attitude during the crisis despite Indian allegations. Immediately after terrorist attacks, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani condemned the attacks. President Zardari called Congress leader Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and said that military and extremism in all its forms had to be condemned and all countries need to cooperate with each other in this regard. Similarly, Gilani also sent a message to Mr. Manmohan Singh saying that he and the people of Pakistan wanted to share the pain of the people of India and its government. Pakistani President asked the Indian government to provide evidences and details of the terrorists assuring India that if proved strict action would be taken against the culprits.

Heightening of Tension Between India and Pakistan:

Mumbai terrorist attacks enraged the people and the government of India very much. Indian reaction was so aggressive that it blamed that the terrorists had links with the territory of Pakistan. Several reports indicated that New Delhi was planning surgical attacks on the suspected terrorist bases in Pakistan. US President George W. Bush termed Mumbai attacks an attack on human dignity while American officials feared that the terror rampage could lead to a surge in violence between India and Pakistan. American Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice called Pakistani President and Indian Foreign Minister in order to defuse the tension. Many quarters feared an all-out war between two nuclear neighbouring states.