Terror in Mumbai

Yesterday night was a terrifying night for any Mumbaikar. A few unidentified terrorists attacked the city by resorting to indiscriminate firing and grenade attacks at different places. Even though the standoff between the security forces and terrorists still continues for more than 18 hours now, hundreds are feared dead and many more injured. This number is feared to be far more than what it is right now by the time the operation gets over.

At around 10:00 PM in the evening yesterday, the terrorists attacked The Leopold Cafe. Terrorists simultaneously opened fire with AK 47s at the iconic “Taj Mahal Intercontinental hotel” and “The Oberoi hotel”. Few more attacks were reported at “The Cama hospital” and “The CST railway station”. A bomb went off in a taxi in Vile Parle. This was followed by terrorists moving from places to places and firing indiscriminately at civilians and security forces. The terrorists held hostage a few guests at the hotels. Mumbai police and ATS retaliated to the attack but lost its important personnel in the process. The news reporters were relentlessly reporting the incidents of firing and portraying the general sentiment of fear which had gripped an otherwise energetic and fearless Mumbai. Telephone networks were jammed as people called their near and dear ones to ensure their safety. Blood, pain, fear and terror could be seen on the streets of Mumbai. As the things moved from bad to worse, the NSG and the paramilitary forces were called in to handle the situation. Kilos and kilos of RDX were recovered from different places. Live bombs diffused at a few places. It looked like a very well planned and coordinated attack on the financial capital of India. The world extended its support to India and vowed again to fight global terrorism with countless futile promises as Mumbai was still fighting the terrorist attacks. It was dawn and the standoff still continued. The people who escaped from the attacked hotels told that the terrorists were asking for people with US and British passports. The Taj Mahal hotel caught fire adding to the commotion. Several explosions were reported within the two hotels. Politicians condemned the attack and gave hour long interviews to the news channels. English cricket team cancelled its India tour midway citing security concerns. Businessmen demanded more security and a more conducive environment for businesses. Deccan Mujahidin owned up the responsibility for the act. Citizens grabbed their share of limelight on news media to report what happened. Mumbai was fighting terror all night as the world’s largest democracy watched. Mumbai was awake all night as the whole world watched.

Reasons for the attack?

Lot of theories will be cooked up and contemplated as to why Mumbai was attacked? I think it is not only Mumbai which is being targeted. It is the common man in the normal world being targeted. There have been several such attacks in different cities in India in the past few months. Mumbai, being a symbol of India’s strength is most obvious target. Mumbai has people from all over the India and in fact people from all over the world. An attack on Mumbai would be a symbolic attack on the peace and order in the whole world. Who were the attackers? The rift between the two worlds is pretty much obvious from what has been happening in the world since 9/11 in US. Every now and then we hear a new Mujahidin group popping up and carrying out different terrorist activities. Is there any solution to this? Resolution of long pending problems with neighbours and making efforts to close down the growing rift between the different countries in the Indian continent could be one possible solution.

Impact of these attacks?

Having stayed in Mumbai for 25 years of my life, I always thought that Mumbai is a very safe place. But this lifelong held belief is now being shattered. There have been sustained attacks in Mumbai from both internal as well as external factors. For the first time, Mumbai did not live up to its much celebrated spirit. The Mumbai was virtually brought to a halt by these attacks. These attacks will certainly damage brand Mumbai. Businesses will be moved. Venues of events will be shifted. Tourists will think twice before visiting Mumbai. I fear we are losing the ever accommodating, resilient Mumbai for past few years.

Will Mumbai bounce back?

Will such incidents affect the spirit of Mumbai? Time and again Mumbai has recovered from such terror attacks within days if not hours of the attack to get back to its original pace. Will Mumbai bounce back again? It sure will but I think this time, the attack has had an impact on people of Mumbai. At least I think that the so called land of opportunities is losing its sheen. May it be by being a target of external terror attacks or by being a target of internal friction. I strongly believe in Mumbai and would like to think that Mumbai will think its way out of the present crisis.