Smoke Signals slams the mainstream media coverage of the event, as the television screens are filled with almost panic inducing sequences, and hurried question and answer sessions. At the time that this post is being written, the gun battles are still going on in at least one of the hotels and in another building.
The same asthmatic quality, the same inane back and forth between ‘expert’ and ‘commentator’ [What equipment will those commandos be carrying? In what order will then go in? What do you think they will do first when they enter the building? These commandos are masked so their features cannot be seen… This is great photography by our cameraman who is getting them exclusively for you… Geez! Just go on and say this terrorist attack is sponsored by XYZ, why don’t you?!]…
An interesing perspective from one of the most public figures in India – Amitabh Bachchan, who writes on his blog about how the mainstream media wants him to get on air for a sound byte.
I have been at the receiving end of a million calls and an equal number of sms’s the whole day to come live on TV or on the print media to express my views on the current situation and am being lured by words such as ’we need you to speak to express solidarity and for the people to maintain their calm’.
This is disgusting !! I will NOT do that. TELL ME AND ORDER ME INSTEAD THAT WE REQUIRE FOR EVERY INDIAN TO GET UP AND WALK INTO THE FACILITIES WHERE THE ACTION IS ON AND I WILL BE THE FIRST TO WALK. But, please do not ask me to come and make sloppy statements that will do nothing more than create viewer interest in said particular channel ! I respect what the media is doing in serving the nation with its continuous information bulletins and I admire the brave and diligent manner in which they have devoted themselves to the cause. But what they expect me do I find against my ethics and want to be excused from it.
Counterterrorism blog on the modus operandi of the terrorists and who it could have been
In view of the historical context, precedents and latest analysis, the most likely groups that may be behind these attacks are the Lashkar e Toiba/SIMI (they now call themselves Indian Mujahideen). These groups are Jihadists, have links to the other organizations in Kashmir but also inside Pakistan with pro-Taliban elements and eventually Al Qaeda. The ideological identification is most likely Jihadist although the group almost surely will issue a more than one release to claim the attack and put it in context.
At counterpunch, a political newsletter, Tariq Ali examines the nuances of insiders and outsiders.
Why should it be such a surprise if the perpetrators are themselves Indian Muslims? Its hardly a secret that there has been much anger within the poorest sections of the Muslim community against the systematic discrimination and acts of violence carried out against them of which the 2002 anti-Muslim pogrom in shining Gujarat was only the most blatant and the most investigated episode, supported by the Chief Minister of the State and the local state apparatuses.
Pickled Politics does a post on what India needs to do in the near future to combat terrorism.
1) There’s a very good chance that the long-discussed US style ‘Dept of Homeland Security’ will be established. This is a good move since India’s intelligence services haven’t had much success in combating terrorism. In this, I hope they pump in more money and bring in expertise from the UK, USA and Israel.
2) They will have to put more money into border control, especially at ports (which is how the Mumbai attackers came in).
18 comments
unnikrishnan: The US isn’t selfish through our press. We brought the fight to the Middle East with Iraq…and the newspapers beat us up. The press is owned by the rich liberals…they tell you the news they way they want you to here it. Look what they did to our election. Look at Reuters news…they have a problem. Most newspaper headlines cries out “terrorism”, but yet Reuters and the BBC still use the terminology “militants”, “gunmen”, homicide bomber and “freedom fighters!”
The conduct of our political leadership, ranging from Vilasrao Deshmukh to RR Patil, Shivraj Patil to LK Advani and even Mumbai’s own Raj Thackrey has been despicable. In this terrible hour of tragedy they have either tried to make excuses for the failure of their administration or have tried to gain political mileage. Raj Thackrey is conspicuous in his absence while his youth wing VP has been pathetic with his derogatory SMS! However, our defense personnel, police and citizens have been outstanding in their courage and sacrifice. Indian politicians need to let the country live and the citizens need to ensure that these absolute losers do not come back to power! It is OUR country and WE need to take decisions FROM NOW ON!
TS…. AMEN to that. India needs to make a stance. We had our 9/11. We need a nation who has the guts to fight these people who kill innocent people. Do not let these innocent people that have died….die without a fight. IT IS TIME……TIME TO DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND.
THIS WAS MY POST…FROM A GUY IN THE USA….I AM NOT REMOVED FROM THIS….THIS PAINS ME TO SEE INNOCENT PEOPLE DIE…REGUARDLESS OF YOUR NATION OR RELIGION.
Its time for Europe to set a new tone with terrorist. A tone that will resonate, one that only the terrorist will truly understand.
The common man doesn’t think like a terrorist, nor is he taught to hate and kill. Terrorist have killed innocent people on every continent in the world. In some cases the media doesn’t even refer to them as a terrorist.
We need to set up a special covert operations, where no government can claim responsibility. This covert operation team can use unconventional warfare. Warfare so severe that the message will be clear to any terrorist in the future.
Operation reciprocity; Deliver the same force/violence to the terrorist; village, and family. They will die for 72 Virgins in their after life. What if they knew their village and family will suffer? I know some of you are thinking…how could we do this. If a village teaches hate, and teaches to kill innocent people, do we really need these people in this world? All other methods have failed dealing with terrorist. If you want peace, we must bring the fight to the terrorist.
It matters not whether they are Pakistani mujahedin or Indian Mujahedin but the fact is they are Muslims.
I know all restaurants in UK that are owned by Pakistanis calling themselves Indian restaurants so it is no big deal if the pakistani when is caught claims to be Indian just to save his repute.
I agree with Philip G in that we or the whole world must go out on covert missions and eliminate entire villages where these misfits are being trained or brainwashed.
Come on Guys… its no time to fight like kids.. Give your self a wake up call.. this bullshit that happened in Mumbai, has been happening in many parts of the world including pakistan, and in my point of view.. instead of putting balmes on others its better if we think some constructive and unite to eliminate such people who are spreading terror and voilence. I see many discriminative emails here and its a shame to see that people in todays world still talk about religion attacks, its a shame guys. Stop accusing the whole nation because of a few black sheep. Some indian people talk as if India never breeded terror, i guess the underworld of Mumbai is famous all over the world. And the domestic anti-government movements that are goin on there. I also see that an indian col himself was involved in train blasts, however initially they balmed Pakistan for that. So its not the first time that india is doing that. But its even more in-human to see that even the younger generation thinks this way.
Well guys, you really need to update your knowledge about rest of the world.. specially PAKISTAN, as it seems like your homework is only limited to MUMBAI.. not even whole of INDIA. Please stop it guys, for how long you will force yourself to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to reality. Lets face it, PAKISTAN faces so much of terrorism since last 8 years.. we never blamed India, tough we could if we wanted a mess in the region, but dudes its no time for this. What u think only PAKISTAN is the breeding ground? Now Suppose what if all paki camps are finished?? will this finish terrorism?? as if India is so pure like a newly born baby.. where in todays age u still have hindu muslim fights.. you cause offense to minorities of your own country.. India media exposed it.. no outer source.. and then when some thing happens in a reaction.. you dont find a way how to put it on some one else. And what a shame.. you only have one name for everything bad that happens in India…
I guess even if a wife divorces her husband.. the blame will fall on Pakistan.
First pick the speck in your own eye, only then point fingers on others.. Our Government and Public both have shown a positive gesture, but this is not to be taken as our weakness by any means.. we will try our level best to maintain peace.. but if India is so desperate for a war.. then we are also not sleeping, we know how to protect our nations dignity.
However, i just want to end this note with a positive note from people who can really think over.
Thanks.
Salamz Everyone,
Well alot of reaction here, and most of it comes in a negative way against Pakistan. Well but that is not what made me come to this blog. First of all, i want to say a few things in reply to Mr. Philip’s message:
>> What did you gain from WAR??
You call your president stupid in your message, and i guess it was Mr. Bush who made the decision of war. You own message is highly “CONTROVERTIAL”, so my sincere advice to my friend Mr. Philip is better
keep away from India Pakistan thing.
>> Its our internal matter, if you cant help cool down the things between the two neighbours, dont try to blow fire. That will be really literate of you to do so.
Now coming to my main point:
>> Guys i am sure all my Indian friends coming to this blog, must be from good familes, must be having good educational backgrounds, and are as much the same like us. So what causes so much hatred all of a sudden, when things were goin so good. We were happy to see India-Pakistan entering some healthy relation, and something comes up and washes every effort that has been put to buld bridges.
>> Attacks on Mumbai, resulted in such kinda of Media Coverage that is so impulsive to create an enviornment of WAR in the region.
>> Where are my those friends from India who once stood for building bridges, no matter how many problems our governments had in between?
>> Well i feel sorry to see where are we being headed by government and media. Whoever did such a thing, whether its Mumbai or Karachi, Delhi or Islamabad, does not belong to any religion or country.
Still i saw a terrible, humiliating, and hateful response of most of my fellows on blogs.
>> Why are we letting our Media and Government to help flourish an atmosphere of upcoming WAR BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN?
>> Is this is what we are gona do after every attack in Mumbai, Delhi, Lahore, or Karachi?
Where is our ability to cope up with nonsense is gone? Why are we being hypnotized by the MEDIA, who is desperating urging for WAR.
>> I have so many friends from INDIA, i love them like my family, and my friends love me the same way, and i know many of my Indian fellows there must be having friends across the border. When our public is friendly, peace loving. Then who wants to split this friendship?
>> Who is getting a benefit from spoiled relations between India and Pakistan?
>> I am sure, WAR on BORDERS or any MEDIA WAR, will not help India or Pakistan in any way. Its someone who is really happy to see the spoiled terms.
>> We both are facing the common enemy guys, and instead of fighting against him (the third party), we have started fighting against eachother.
>> Why are we trusting our Govt and Media so much, specially govt had so many security laspses and even media had so many professional errors in chaging statements.
>> Its my request to every peace loving INDIAN
STAND UP FOR PEACE, we dont want another WAR, we have faught enough for years now. And it gained no profit, instead loss to both nations.
>> Dont let the motives of those terrorists WIN by supporting MEDIA, in provoking us for WAR.
Take Care Guyz
Guys
act like educated, responsible citizen of your countries, dont act like sensational reporters for any news network. be what you are, a true countryman, and my request is instead of bringing new reasons, or edivdences to prove the next one wrong. Bring some peace ful stuff to over come the voilence present on both sides of the border.
Behave like a civilized, peaceful individuals of this region, otherwise i am afraid the west will keep calling us a third world country.