Terrorists Strike in India’s Business Capital
Its so surreal – almost as if I was watching a Hollywood or Hong Kong flick! When I opened the TV yesterday to get myself updated on happenings around the country – I was shocked to hear live gunshots and police 
personnel moving around Mumbai streets with their firearms firing at something. Before I understood something – I saw India’s premiere train station Victoria Terminus being attacked by terrorists. Two other seven star hotels ( The Taj Mahal Hotel & Oberoi Grand) also came under attack. As news agencies rushed into the spot- reports of more attacks poured in thick and fast and it seemed Mumbai was transformed into a battle-ground. I could not help but remember the live scenes of World Trade Center towers burning on 7/11.
Mumbai has always been the target of terrorists as it is the financial and business capital of the country handling around 50 percent of India’s overall trade and also 48 percent of international arrivals. It is also a favorite with foreign tourists and CEOs of multinational companies much like New York.
As I write this post, I can see live images of hotels burning, commandos exchanging fire and ambulances rushing to hospitals. Till now, there were terrorist attack on 10 places, over hundred people including 7 foreigners and 15 security personnel have died and many people are being held hostage by terrorists at the Oberoi tower. It is reported that around 25 terrorists came by a Vietnam registered boat from Karachi, Pakistan.
Although the Maharashtra government has called in 800 military personnel and 200 special unit commandos (National Security Guards who are the top most commando unit in the country) along with undisclosed number s of Navy commandos, still there is no report of the battle subsiding. Officially the government maintains that there will be no negotiations or talks with the terrorists, but media reports suggest that talks are being held. The government’s efforts are also hampered by the fact that terrorists are holding huge number of hostages who apparently are big shots. And the government must give top most priority for the safe release of them.
May the problem get settled quickly without much harm.