One of the biggest questions in the wake of the three blasts that rocked Mumbai on Wednesday, killing at least 21 people and injuring dozens more, is what the fallout will be for Indo-Pakistan relations, and whether the attack will jeopardize Pakistan State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar’s visit to India later this month.
So far, there’s no indication that India will unilaterally cancel Khar’s trip. For a start, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani were quick to condemn this latest attack on India’s financial capital. And significantly, no Indian official has so far pointed an accusatory finger at Pakistan over the blasts. Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, for example, addressed the media in Mumbai after visiting the blasts sites, but refrained from lashing out. Instead, he simply said: ‘We will not conduct the probe with any pre-determined assumption, all groups are suspects.’ External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, too, avoided suggesting Pakistani involvement, simply noting that: ‘This is another grim reminder to everyone in this region that terror is a continuing threat to India and that’s necessary for all Indians to be vigilant.’
The reasons for the Indian restraint aren’t difficult to understand. The July 13 attacks are unlike the far more ferocious, military-like assault of November 2008, where several fully-armed terrorists staged an extended commando-type operation. Also, unlike the 2008 attacks, the July 13 strikes weren’t a suicide operation. Instead, the perpetrators chose to assemble improvised explosive devices from easily available ammonium nitrate and remotely detonate them. One bomb was kept on the roadside, the second in a box and the third one apparently in an umbrella!
Moreover, the circumstantial evidence so far points the needle of suspicion at the Indian Mujahideen, a homegrown terror outfit. Still, unlike previous IM operations, the July 13 Mumbai attacks have caused significant damage and loss of life. This will worry the Indian government. Previous IM strikes were little more than whimpers—the grenade attack on foreign tourists in Delhi during the Commonwealth Games in 2010 being a case in point. With the exception of Pune’s German bakery attack, most other IM attacks in recent times have been largely ineffective.
But yesterday’s attack suggests that IM has recharged, regrouped and reorganized in a big way. The Indian security establishment will be interested to know whether the turnaround in IM’s capabilities has been made possible with help from elements in the Pakistani establishment. Until this linkage is established, there’s no point in Indian officials crying wolf.








S. Muralidharan
Terror attacks are like “cancerous growth”! Home-grown terrorists outfit could be responsible for this tragedy. Bi-lateral meetings and peace talks between the two nations, at this juncture will lead to hostile reactions from both the countries! Peace talks are something like “sugar-coated bitter pills”! Pakistan is doing more “lip-service” than acting! They were, all along, evasive about Osama’s presence in their soil, US, on the other hand, did not trust them, did their home-work well and eliminated him! Apparently, the people of India should know how to take safeguards on their own, rather than depending upon the Government!
Frank
Indians need to let Kashmir go. Otherwise, India will be in more and more trouble.
Somebody will ship old WWII rifles into India.
The best route is to go through Nepal.
After American leave Afghanistan, Taliban will need a new target.
India would be a great candidate.
Kashmir does not worth more than your life.
YeahRight
Frank-ud-din should probably dish out the same advice to Pakistan on the Baloch situation.
Siddharth
Chinese need to let Tibetans, Turkestanis go. Otherwise, China will be in more and more trouble.
Somebody will ship old WWII rifles into China.
The best route is to go through North Korea.
After American leave Afghanistan, America will need a new target.
China would be a great candidate.
Kashmir does not worth more than your life.
Frank
Siddharth:
You East Indians are so laughable.
Tibetans and East Turks are not too much trouble for China. They will cry to their mama a lot for mistreatment. That would be it. They can never pull the trick like Muslim people did to Indians.
You cannot win a war against Muslim. Even your white masters USA knew it. That is why Americans are trying to negotiate their way out of Afghanistan with Taliban.
Americans need new target? If you read America’s history, you will understand that America never ever attacked strong enemy unless they were attacked. They are a lot smarter than East Indians.
Frank
Siddharth:
Now I understand why white people regard Indians as monkeys.
I also understand the saying:
Monkey see, Monkey do. (or type)
ricky
racial comments are being posted but its seems the editor and the moderater of the site are relishing it too !
Fcuk
EAM
Well said Ricky. The blog on these pages is fast becoming racism central. Shame on the moderators.
Siddharth
FRANK:
Yeah! I also understand – Monkeys see, momkeys do
Like the West Chinese (PRC) see the American, Japanese and European products, they duplicate them! Haha. That’s why the real chimps are West Chinese (PRC)
Sam
Well put, Siddharth!