101 killed in Mumbai attacks - The real heroes!!

At least 101 people, including a foreign tourist and a top counter-terror officer, were killed and about 287 injured as terrorists struck in the heart of Mumbai in planned and synchronised attacks.

Terrorists were reported to be holding people hostage in two five-star hotels, the Taj Intercontinental and Trident (formerly Oberoi) facing the waterfront across the Arabian Sea, and the Madam Cama Hostel.

Three top police officials, including Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare, were among the nine policemen killed in gunfights with the terrorists, police confirmed.

Among terror targets was the city's busiest railway station, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST). (via TERROR NON-STOP: 101 killed in Mumbai attacks).

An attack with a difference

An audacious terror attack (by US allies) on the affluent part of Mumbai's population, the latest in the series, are different from previous attacks.

For one, these attacks targetted the rich and the affluent. Instead of targetting the poor in public transport systems or the crowds in the Mumbai stock exchange, these attacks focussed on tony neighbourhoods.

The second was of course, the modus operandi. The very attack mode was different. Earlier attacks used synchronized bombing of targets through timer devices. This time, the terrorists, started with random shooting from (Heckler and Koch) German MP5 machine guns, used grenades, incendiary devices to start fires and moved from target to target. Who uses the (Heckler and Koch) German MP5 machine guns?

Overall,the HK MP5 is the weapon of choice for most European forces and the United States in terms of close-quarters man-stopping power. More notable users include the United States Navy SEALs special forces, the German GSG9 group and the British SAS special forces.

Of course, the Pakistan Ordnance Factory makes the MP5 under license also. As does Iran. Bangladesh uses these too. And not to forget Indians.

Thirdly, after these attacks, some of the terrorists stayed back, have been captured, have been killed - and a few have escaped. In earlier attacks, the terrorists vanished after the attack.

This time the attacks came in the night - after 9:00 pm. All earlier attacks were at peak traffic hours in the evening or morning. This time, the peak time of the affluent, the night time was slotted for these attacks.

How did the terrorists land in Mumbai was another difference. They came by sea - from Karachi and landed at coves in Colaba koliwada (traditional fishermen colonies in Mumbai). Earlier, these terrorists came from sleeper cells or infiltrated the border.

Initial clues

A Israeli mother and child escaped from these terrorists. This same family had ordered for a large amount of 'dry fruits' - which are excellent dry rations for such attacks due to the concentrated nourishment value , compact size and long shelf life. Why did these Israelis order such a large quantity of dry fruits?

India is mulling over a cricket tour to Pakistan - and England is touring India. Pakistan has not seen any international tours - and this has affected their national morale. If India refuses to tour Pakistan that will the last refusal that they can take. Now that England has called of the tour, India and Pakistan are even.

Who are the heroes?

The biggest heroes of the day are the Indian police.

India with the lowest prisoner population in the world and the lowest police-to-population ratio also, treats it police force very badly. Underpaid, ill equipped, with bad housing conditions, long duty hours, manipulation by the rich and the powerful, the fact that they turn up for duty is wonder by itself. In appreciation all that they get are suspicion, and (a half valid) reputation for corruption.

When senior police officers like Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte and Vjay Salasker decided to lead from the front, it was a matter of pride for this country.

When India ignores this situation, it is a tragedy!