India should take the lead in evolving a front against terrorism with cooperation of Pakistan, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries. Exchange of cooperation at international level must be ensured. Terrorism has no religion and we must remain united to tackle it.

SUDESH KUMAR SHARMA, Kapurthala

II

Mr Dua has rightly observed that the attacks in Mumbai “must shake the nation out of its familiar tendency to lapse into complacency after a crisis is over”. Had India taken concrete steps to counter such attacks earlier, the forces behind such attacks would not have dared repeat their acts.

Though Al-Qaida and the Taliban have issued threats time and again, they have not been able to execute such threats in the US after 9/11 only because the US tightened its security and intelligence.

India is a soft target for the terrorist groups operating from abroad. It is a matter of grave concern that intelligence agencies rarely succeed in tracking down the planned designs of the terrorist groups.

LAJPAT RAI GARG, Chandigarh

III

Foreign mercenaries, extremists and terrorists strike with impunity at fixed targets and every time intelligence agencies are caught napping. Investigation into previous serial blasts has led us nowhere.

We need to revamp the security apparatus and come with an effective anti-terror strategy. A federal agency should be set up to coordinate with intelligence agencies in the states and take pre-emptive action. We need to strengthen our resolve to combat terror. Laws alone will not help.

A system of national identity cards should be introduced and a database of all suspects developed. Mobile companies must ensure proof of identity before allotting a new SIM as most criminals are misusing prepaid SIM cards.

There is an urgent need to curb the flow of funds to suspect organisations. India needs to collaborate with Israel, the US and Euro nations to eradicate terror with a firm hand.

JARNAIL SINGH BRAR, Bathinda

IV

The Mumbai episode has once again exposed the soft underbelly of the Indian state and the total failure of our intelligence and police force to thwart the diabolical designs of those who are bent on destabilising the country. 

There is no use of just blaming Pakistan. Does India exist at Pakistan’s mercy? Are we ourselves doing enough for India’s security? No. While India keeps on burning in the fires of terrorism, our assorted Neroes and ‘heroes’ continue fiddling! What is involved here is not only the loss of human lives but also a major setback to the country’s image that has wider international ramifications.

However, it will be far-fetched to compare the Mumbai calamity with 9/11 in the US. There should be no compromise on terrorism.

Wg-Cdr S.C. KAPOOR (retd) Noida