26th Nov. Though I normally remember this day due to birthday of a sis of mine, but 26 Nov 2008 has been etched in my memory as one of the worst days for India as a whole. A democracy which got held as a hostage to some lunatics who call themselves "Freedom Fighters". For whose freedom are these blind men fighting? Can't they see that they are being "used", and nothing more, by those very terror outfits who are the first ones to brazenly take the claims of such activities. And what do these freedom fighters achieve? Nothing apart from a few bucks which their families might get as a sum for lending their lives. But its not only money, but those extremist sentiments also play a major role, which are sown as a seed from childhood, and the fruits of which are attacks such as this one.
101 dead including 14 policemen, 6 foreigners. And that these cops were killed minutes after they took charge tells another story. That the enemy was very well informed, and that the operation was very carefully planned, and that too months in advance. Encounter cop Vijay Salaskar, Additional CP Ashok Kamte and Anti-Terror Squad chief Hemant Karkare shot dead. But still that doesn't deter our forces, alongwith NSG, to fight bullet for bullet. The surprising factor here was not that our forces were fighting bullet for bullet, but that those terrorists were fighting bullet for bullet. Where did these handful of militants get so much ammunition from? The lack has been on the front of our Naval security if stories are to be believed. Its said that these terrorists took sea route this time, and that ammunitions were also ported from that gateway.
But even after so much planning, what was the result? It is only due to the lack of will power of a country that this terror prevails. For India, which is always referred to as "Mother", now is the time to take up the mantle of a father, and tell the world that it would not tolerate such nuisance in its backyard. And that the first step has been taken in this regard is commendable. No talks with the terrorists. Just gun them down. This would set an example, and next time any terrorist would think twice before doing any such activity. The main aim of these terrorists is to create terror in the hearts of common men, and bring the govt. on its knees. But this has not happened this time round, which means that the whole motive of these attacks got defeated. And the terror outfits are back to where they were - thinking - of how to disintegrate this beautiful nation, which may be disjoint in its opinions, regards, beliefs etc., but which is as united as a body and soul whenever there is some trouble.
The harder we get hit, the harder we come back, which the world has seen after incidents like Akshardham Temple attacks, Chain blasts across India, attack on Parliament. And its time that our enemies also start recognizing this fact. The loss of so many lives in each of these (and many more) incidents would never be forgotten, and steps to ensure that these things don't happen in future need to be taken by the Govt. of India. Somewhere these outfits should also know that their work is not that easier, since a country is awakening to a new found confidence.
"Kuchh baat hai ki hasti, mit-ti nahin hamari.
Sadiyon raha hai dushman, daur-e-jahan hamara."
