The Lessons of 26/11

Today is 26 th November and the first anniversary of the terror attack perpetrated by the militant groups based in Pakistan. Our minds go to the the gristly footages of the scene of this unprecedented attack on our sovereignty by a group of odd 12 terrorists beamed by the TV channels. The magnitude of the attack and its ferocity shocked us beyond belief. The fire at hotels just symbolized the gravity of the problem of terrorism the scourge of which has almost engulfed the nation. Now it is time to take up the most fundamental question: Are we ready to face up to this reality that terrorism is part of our life? And are the authorities entrusted with the job of maintaining internal are up to their tasks?

One of the biggest terror attack launched on our soil brought into bold relief two contrasting scenarios. One is the culpable failure on the part of our intelligence agencies whose smugness allowed the perpetrators to take advantage every yawning loophole and meticulously plan their designs and execute them with professional expertise and finesse and on the other hand the exemplary conduct of the common people of Mumbai and its police force had warmed the cockles of our hearts.

Terrorism is a global phenomenon but the countries which are most vulnerable , need to keep themselves at a much higher level of preparedness but we have not acquitted ourselves well on this account. This is the lesson of 26/11. Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom as the saying goes! In any kind of counter-terrorism strategy gathering of intelligence is given topmost priority to preempt any possible attacks from the terrorists. And our intelligence agencies have failed miserably . It seems waking after the events has become a habit with our intelligence agencies. Let us hope these draw appropriate lessons from the event which shook and shamed the entire world.