Mumbai carnage ought to strengthen South Asian resolve to combat terrorism unitedly
Sunday, 30 November 2008
Mohammad Shahidul Islam
INDIA went through its own 9/11 last Thursday when Mumbai, its financial capital was turned into a landscape of bloodbath and bedlam by the worst terrorist attack encountered by the country.
Around 150 people were killed and hundreds more wounded when a group of militants sprayed the city of Mumbai with gunfire while laying siege to the landmark Taj Hotel holding its guests hostage and also taking over other buildings including the Trident Hotel with their occupants.
It was a night and morning of bloody mayhem; a stunned world watched aghast as footage of the horror was beamed to their homes live over satellite news channels. The terrorists virtually took over Mumbai, the epicenter of India's financial power. It was certainly the biggest ever terrorist attack carried out in India which was ill prepared for it according to commentators.
There were many parallels with the September 11 attack on the New York World Trade Centre and the Pentagon. Here too the targets were famous landmarks, the sprawling Taj Hotel in Mumbai being a treasured monument of Mumbai and a gateway to the city in more ways than one, with the landmark Gateway to India located nearby.
A shadowy Islamic militant group claimed responsibility for the attack and their demands were not clearly known. At the time of writing this piece, gun battles were still on but Security Forces managed to bring the situation, mostly under control secure the release of some hostages.
Those watching footage of the unfolding drama on BBC or CNN would have no doubt been awestruck by audacity of the attack. The hostage drama, the frantic firefighting to douse flames atop the vital city landmarks, the shootout between police and the militants, the accompanying havoc and lawlessness were chilling.
This brazen act of terrorism have roundly been condemned by world leaders. It is time, however, to move away from this ritual condemnation and to take concrete measures to deal with the scourge that is growing in proportion with each passing day.
The carefully coordinated attack with minute planning goes to demonstrate the sophistication gained by terrorists who are getting bolder and bolder to act with impunity. There is, therefore, an urgent need for all concerned to act fast to counter the menace. Any more dilly-dallying could only embolden the forces of evil to expand their activities. Regional and international conferences for combating terrorism and other such forays are of no use in the absence of follow-up actions. The Mumbai attack has shown the world that terrorism is very much alive and all pervasive, and that no country can escape its ill effects.
Bangladesh too would feel the reverberations of the Mumbai attack and this country is no stranger to terrorist attacks. There are lessons from the nerve-chilling Mumbai incident for the Bangladeshi security establishment -- the need for being alert and extra vigilant and, above all, properly equipped to deal with such attacks.
This attack on the heart of India may also harden the attitude against terrorism by the Indian central government which would be in Bangladeshi's favour. It would leave the field open to our government to continue with the offensive against terrorists. This would lead to enhanced joint action and cooperation to stamp out terrorism. It would augur well for Bangladesh that would look to see to nib the local militants in the bud sooner than later.
India is bound to take seriously the threat of transnational terrorism following the Mumbai carnage and step up anti-terrorism cooperation with other countries. Some positives may yet emerge from the Mumbai ruins that would create a wider scope for making concerted efforts to wipe out terrorism in this region and beyond it.
As the saying goes, terrorism anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere. This is why terrorism should not be looked as a phenomenon limited to South Asia and a few other countries. It is an international phenomenon, with terrorists' helping out and learning from, each other. Thus, international cooperation, including intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism operations, is vital to crush terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
The brutal terrorism will also slow down tourism business in the whole South Asia. India is considered as the hub of South Asian tourism business. As the attack has been in hotels, tourists will remain panic-stricken for a while and that may act as a damper to the growth of tourism for some time in the region. Terrorism is snatching our peace, economy and everything. We have to stand together against all kinds of terrorism.
India has otherwise demonstrated the resolve to put this dark chapter behind, to fight terrorism. The Bangladeshis are with the Indians at this hour. Indeed, the South Asians are one in their resolve not to let terror rule their lives.
...........................................................
The writer is a tourism worker and he can be reached at email: mohd-s-islam@myway.com
INDIA went through its own 9/11 last Thursday when Mumbai, its financial capital was turned into a landscape of bloodbath and bedlam by the worst terrorist attack encountered by the country.
Around 150 people were killed and hundreds more wounded when a group of militants sprayed the city of Mumbai with gunfire while laying siege to the landmark Taj Hotel holding its guests hostage and also taking over other buildings including the Trident Hotel with their occupants.
It was a night and morning of bloody mayhem; a stunned world watched aghast as footage of the horror was beamed to their homes live over satellite news channels. The terrorists virtually took over Mumbai, the epicenter of India's financial power. It was certainly the biggest ever terrorist attack carried out in India which was ill prepared for it according to commentators.
There were many parallels with the September 11 attack on the New York World Trade Centre and the Pentagon. Here too the targets were famous landmarks, the sprawling Taj Hotel in Mumbai being a treasured monument of Mumbai and a gateway to the city in more ways than one, with the landmark Gateway to India located nearby.
A shadowy Islamic militant group claimed responsibility for the attack and their demands were not clearly known. At the time of writing this piece, gun battles were still on but Security Forces managed to bring the situation, mostly under control secure the release of some hostages.
Those watching footage of the unfolding drama on BBC or CNN would have no doubt been awestruck by audacity of the attack. The hostage drama, the frantic firefighting to douse flames atop the vital city landmarks, the shootout between police and the militants, the accompanying havoc and lawlessness were chilling.
This brazen act of terrorism have roundly been condemned by world leaders. It is time, however, to move away from this ritual condemnation and to take concrete measures to deal with the scourge that is growing in proportion with each passing day.
The carefully coordinated attack with minute planning goes to demonstrate the sophistication gained by terrorists who are getting bolder and bolder to act with impunity. There is, therefore, an urgent need for all concerned to act fast to counter the menace. Any more dilly-dallying could only embolden the forces of evil to expand their activities. Regional and international conferences for combating terrorism and other such forays are of no use in the absence of follow-up actions. The Mumbai attack has shown the world that terrorism is very much alive and all pervasive, and that no country can escape its ill effects.
Bangladesh too would feel the reverberations of the Mumbai attack and this country is no stranger to terrorist attacks. There are lessons from the nerve-chilling Mumbai incident for the Bangladeshi security establishment -- the need for being alert and extra vigilant and, above all, properly equipped to deal with such attacks.
This attack on the heart of India may also harden the attitude against terrorism by the Indian central government which would be in Bangladeshi's favour. It would leave the field open to our government to continue with the offensive against terrorists. This would lead to enhanced joint action and cooperation to stamp out terrorism. It would augur well for Bangladesh that would look to see to nib the local militants in the bud sooner than later.
India is bound to take seriously the threat of transnational terrorism following the Mumbai carnage and step up anti-terrorism cooperation with other countries. Some positives may yet emerge from the Mumbai ruins that would create a wider scope for making concerted efforts to wipe out terrorism in this region and beyond it.
As the saying goes, terrorism anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere. This is why terrorism should not be looked as a phenomenon limited to South Asia and a few other countries. It is an international phenomenon, with terrorists' helping out and learning from, each other. Thus, international cooperation, including intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism operations, is vital to crush terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
The brutal terrorism will also slow down tourism business in the whole South Asia. India is considered as the hub of South Asian tourism business. As the attack has been in hotels, tourists will remain panic-stricken for a while and that may act as a damper to the growth of tourism for some time in the region. Terrorism is snatching our peace, economy and everything. We have to stand together against all kinds of terrorism.
India has otherwise demonstrated the resolve to put this dark chapter behind, to fight terrorism. The Bangladeshis are with the Indians at this hour. Indeed, the South Asians are one in their resolve not to let terror rule their lives.
...........................................................
The writer is a tourism worker and he can be reached at email: mohd-s-islam@myway.com