India: Who are they, and what is the Media saying?

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

  • Indo-pak unity

    to my good neighbors in India, as a pakistani, i stand with u today in unity. Nothing justifies the actions that have taken place in your country. I feel ur pain and frustrations, we too have been attacked on large scales by these religious fanatics. most recently the bombing of a hotel in islamabad. although these terrorists are hinding our country, that does not mean we support them in anyway. they are a bigger threat to us and our freedom then to anyone else.i know you blame us and i understand your anger and resentment, but know that today, all pakistanis are indians, we stand with you, during this tough time. one day, inshallah there will be peace between our great nations.

  • Nurategui

    la operación terrorista estuvo preparada profesionalmente, les llamo mucho la atención que extranjeros de la banca y empresarios importantes se reunieran allí, por eso el golpe ha sido dado como protesta a la inflexibilidad de la economía mundial

  • The Jihadists “JIHADISTS” these are terrorists without a nationality no matter where they were born! These Jihadists are wanted men “Dead or Alive” where ever they are in the World! They claim they are fighting for GOD but these Jihadists have no god but the DEVIL!

    These Jihadists no matter where they are suicide bomber or gunmen is not diplomacy. Where are their intellectual minds where is the mission statment for the civilized world.

    What could they want for mankind.

    How can they justfy there actions to any god: all this maddess, all the hate and discontent.

  • Yasser Choudhary

    As a Pakistani, I sincerely stand by the side of my indian fellows and condemn these terrorists and killing innocent lives. I hope Pakistan and India together find these bastards and hang them in front of everybody.

  • Neeraj

    There is No way that Pakistani government can shrug off its responsibility for these attacks ….using the old “Entire-country-cannot-be-held-responsible-for-a-few-men’s-actions” line ….didnt Prophet Mohammad (Salallahu Alaihee Wasallam) hold enitre Quraish responsible for breaking the treaty of Hudaibiya for an act of vioelnce by an allied tribe ….If the Pakistan Govt. cannot take repsonsibilty for actions of violence by its citizens on its neighbour … it does not have any moral ground to call itself the guardian of Pakistani Citizens

  • Philip G

    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.

  • MURAD

    in REPLY TO COUNTERPUNCH:
    WELL YOU SAID IT SHOULD NOT BE A SURPRISE IF THE CULPRITS ARE INDIAN MUSLIMS… WELL WHAT IF THEY ARE INDIAN HINDUS ARMY OFFICERS……..
    IF A SERVING INDIAN COLONEL CAN BLOW UP THE SUMJHOTA EXPRESS, THE LINK TRAIN WITH INDO-PAK..MURDER 65 PEOPLE.. AND BLOW UP 10 ODD BOMBS IN DEHLI AND RAJHISTAN ..AND OTHER LOCALITIES IN INDIA.. MURDERING FELLOW INDIANS ..JUST SO MUSLIMS GET THE BLAME..AND LATTER BE ARRESTED AND CHARGED BY CBI.THAN WHY NOT THEY BE INVOLVED IN THIS CARNAGE……..NOW REMEMBER ALL THOSES OFFICERS INVESTIGATING THOSE CRIMES(AGAINST THE INDIAN COL) HAVE BEEN MURDERED IN THIS INCIDENT…..
    INDIANS SENSELESS PROPAGANDA MEDIA LOVES TO BLAME ELEMENTS IN I.S.I.. WHY DONT THEY EVEN CONSIDER BLAMING THEMSELVES FOR A CHANGE…
    ONE MORE THING……
    IF ONLY 15 PEOPLE CAN CAUSE SUCH A CARNAGE.. ONLY 5-8 TERRORIST ARE HOLDING BACK 300 COMMANDOS IN TAJ.
    IF 3ODD TERRORISTS CAN HOLD ON AND RESIST 30+ COMMANDOS AND HUNDREDS OF COP ON THE GROUND IN A 5 FLOOR APARTMENT FOR MORE THAN 15 HOURS….AND STILL NOT MANAGE TO SAY THE ALL THE INNOCENT HOSTAGES
    AND IF 10 ODD TERRORISTS CAN SAIL FROM ACROSS THE BORDER TO THE GATE OF INDIA IN A STUPID RUBBER BOAT AND NOT BE INTERCEPTED …
    THAN THIS RAISES A LOT OF QUESTIONS AS REGARDS THE COMPETENCY OF INDIA IN HANDLING ITS BORDERS AND CAPABILTY OF FIGHTING THE BAD GUYS……THEY SEROIUSLY NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NOT A TRADITIONAL SCAPE GOAT AND EXCUSE……
    MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THIS TRAGEDY..

  • MURAD

    WELL YOU SAID IT SHOULD NOT BE A SURPRISE IF THE CULPRITS ARE INDIAN MUSLIMS… WELL WHAT IF THEY ARE INDIAN HINDUS ARMY OFFICERS……..
    IF A SERVING INDIAN COLONEL CAN BLOW UP THE SUMJHOTA EXPRESS, THE LINK TRAIN WITH INDO-PAK..MURDER 65 PEOPLE.. AND BLOW UP 10 ODD BOMBS IN DEHLI AND RAJHISTAN ..AND OTHER LOCALITIES IN INDIA.. MURDERING FELLOW INDIANS ..JUST SO MUSLIMS GET THE BLAME..AND LATTER BE ARRESTED AND CHARGED BY CBI.THAN WHY NOT THEY BE INVOLVED IN THIS CARNAGE……..NOW REMEMBER ALL THOSES OFFICERS INVESTIGATING THOSE CRIMES(AGAINST THE INDIAN COL) HAVE BEEN MURDERED IN THIS INCIDENT…..
    INDIANS SENSELESS PROPAGANDA MEDIA LOVES TO BLAME ELEMENTS IN I.S.I.. WHY DONT THEY EVEN CONSIDER BLAMING THEMSELVES FOR A CHANGE…
    ONE MORE THING……
    IF ONLY 15 PEOPLE CAN CAUSE SUCH A CARNAGE.. ONLY 5-8 TERRORIST ARE HOLDING BACK 300 COMMANDOS IN TAJ.
    IF 3ODD TERRORISTS CAN HOLD ON AND RESIST 30+ COMMANDOS AND HUNDREDS OF COP ON THE GROUND IN A 5 FLOOR APARTMENT FOR MORE THAN 15 HOURS….AND STILL NOT MANAGE TO SAY THE ALL THE INNOCENT HOSTAGES
    AND IF 10 ODD TERRORISTS CAN SAIL FROM ACROSS THE BORDER TO THE GATE OF INDIA IN A STUPID RUBBER BOAT AND NOT BE INTERCEPTED …
    THAN THIS RAISES A LOT OF QUESTIONS AS REGARDS THE COMPETENCY OF INDIA IN HANDLING ITS BORDERS AND CAPABILTY OF FIGHTING THE BAD GUYS……THEY SEROIUSLY NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NOT A TRADITIONAL SCAPE GOAT AND EXCUSE……
    MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THIS TRAGEDY..

  • unnikrishnan

    What is baffling is
    1. What is it in the Islam religion which preaches them to kill others in the name of entry to heaven and 71 virgins. Virgins, they can get here itself.
    2. Are we simplifying things like this. The Religious leaders of ISLAM (only) should consider whether there is any flaw in the way Islam is taught in their world. If there is any, can they make adequate changes.
    3. Being an Indian, I do not think the common Paksitani is REJOICING at these sites. They are just like us. But the government which had been nurturing these elements till date has got a monster which have gone out of their hand. It will harm Pakistan more than INDIA. NOw this can become an excuse ( lame ) for US to attack Pakistan and as an Indian, I DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN. US is only selfish though their press may give another picture.
    UNNIKRISHNAN

  • I Totally agree with the blog about the media. Why are ospitalthey talking abut the situation that is happening on live television, don’t they think the terrrorists will see it and use it to their advantage, or even panic and harm the hostages. If they want to help why don’T they tell people where to donate blood or release the names of the people in the hospital so family and loved ones can find them.I pray to our Creator to help the peope of Mumbai and India and everyone affected. May India and Pakistan work together to root out this evil.Justice will prevail.

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