Mumbai gets blast of terror again

Mumbai and other key Indian cities remain on high alert after Wednesday night's well coordinated bomb attacks at three locations in the financial capital of India that have killed at least 20 and injuring more than 110, according the latest reports.

India's Home Minister P Chidambaram said he believes the blasts were "a coordinated attack by terrorists", as the explosions occurred within minutes of one another. In his first reactions Chidambaram said it was too early to speculate on who might have been behind the attack.

"All groups that have capacity to carry out such terror attacks are suspect. All angles will be investigated, all leads will be followed," he told reporters. The careful coordination of the attacks by all three attacks was evident by all three blasts being reported within a 15-minute period, starting at around 7.50 pm local time, Wednesday.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has appealed to the people of Mumbai "to remain calm and show a united face"; amidst this massive act of brutality that has again targeted Mumbai, and shows the threat that terrorism poses both in India, and in the South Asian Region.

Eradicate terrorism

President Mahinda Rajapaksa was among the leaders prompt in condemning these terrorist attacks on civilians, assuring India of our solidarity in seeking to eradicate terrorism in all its forms. The President said: "I strongly condemn the dastardly attacks on innocent civilians in Mumbai this evening. Terrorism should not be tolerated in our region and should not be allowed to raise its ugly head anywhere in any form or manifestation.

"The people of Sri Lanka stand in solidarity with the people of India and will continue to work collectively with the peace loving people of the region to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been wounded and those who lost their loved ones as a result of the violent attacks."

The UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon, in condemning the serial blasts that rocked Mumbai said "No cause or grievance can justify indiscriminate violence against civilians", while the UN Security Council also condemned the attacks in strongest terms, stating: "The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation."

SAARC countries

It is significant that the latest attacks on Mumbai came just four days after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called for greater efforts to fight terrorism in South Asia. Inaugurating a conference of Speakers and Parliamentarians of SAARC countries last Saturday, Dr. Singh, emphasising the need for the South Asia region to prosper, highlighted the dangers posed by terrorism in the region and called for greater efforts to fight it.

"The scourge of terrorism has taken a huge toll on all our societies. It is a cancer that, if not checked, will consume us all. I would like to believe that we have the will and foresight to prevent such an outcome," he said.

National crisis

Noting that the countries in the region shared a civilization and cultural heritage going back to many centuries, Dr. Singh said: "Our destinies are bound by history and geography. If we act with wisdom and sagacity, we all stand to benefit... we must learn to speak with one voice on the common challenges that face us."

He also called for efforts to channel the energies of the youth in the region to productive ends. "Disaffection and alienation provide a fertile breeding ground for intolerance, violence and terrorism, which then threaten our societies and rupture the social fabric."

The latest attacks in Mumbai are a bloody reminder of the reality of terrorism that prevails in the region, and needs the most concerted action by all member countries of SAARC, as well as the genuine and fullest support from the countries of the world, in other regions or blocks, both economic and political, to eradicate it. Sri Lanka, having defeated the most ruthless terrorist organization in the world, knows only too well what it means to the people of any country and society, especially to its closest neighhbour, India, which is the largest democracy in the world.

Emerging economy

Terrorism today stalks India both from within and without, and it will require a great commitment from politicians of all hues and convictions to eventually and definitely defeat it. The Left Parties of India have already come out strongly in condemning the latest attacks on Mumbai, but the main Opposition BJP has not been so firm in its comments, seeking to score political points through what is clearly a national crisis of major proportions.

Home Minister Chidambaram stating it was too early "to point a finger at any one group", said that all groups "hostile to India" are on the "radar" in the probe.

Asked whether the explosions were timed to disrupt the India-Pakistan Foreign Minister-level talks this month end, he said, "We are not ruling out anything. That angle will also be kept in mind."

Wednesday's attacks are the deadliest in India since 2008, when gunmen killed 165 people in a three-day raid in Mumbai. The latest is the fourth attack on Mumbai since 1993. In April 1993 serial bomb blasts kill 257 people and about 700 injured, 2003 - saw four bomb attacks, including twin blasts on August 25 which killed 52 people; in July 2006, more than 180 people killed and hundreds wounded in seven orchestrated blasts on commuter trains. A BBC report on Wednesday's attacks said the fact that Mumbai seems to be targeted relentlessly by groups is extremely disquieting news for its residents and authorities alike.

The Indian media has noted the threat posed by terrorism to Mumbai. The Times of India describes it as a 'Hot hunting ground for terror'. "Repeatedly hit over a half-a-dozen times since the early 1990s, India's financial capital has now become the favourite hunting ground for terror outfits...Over 600 people have died in these attacks.

"The macabre dance of death has unnerved citizens amid fears that Mumbai may go the Karachi way. Pakistan's port city, barely 800km from Mumbai, has been wracked with violence and bloodbath over the past few years," the report says.

The Hindustan Times asking 'Why is Mumbai targeted again and again'? quotes Maharashtra State minister Chhagan Bhujbal saying: "Mumbai and Delhi will always remain terror targets. Delhi is the political capital and Mumbai the financial one...An attack on a city like Mumbai always rocks the nation and gets the attention of the world, which is what terrorist groups want."

The threat to India from terrorism remains very real, especially as it rises higher as an emerging economy.

It will be necessary for all Indian leaders, current and those with aspirations to future leadership, to realize the reality of this threat and move beyond regional differences, working towards the empowerment of all people, with the widest sharing of economic growth to battle the scourge of terrorism. It will also not help India's fight against terror for political voices there to be supportive of terrorists whether alive, active or defeated in neighbouring countries. For, what is needed is the unity of the entire South Asian region in the battle against terrorism.

As President Rajapaksa stated so often during Sri Lanka's crucial period of battling the LTTE, it is necessary for the world to understand that there is no good terrorist or bad terrorist. All terrorists remain alike - they are terrorists.