• The deadly and inhuman serial attacks on iconic targets in Mumbai have beaten our imagination. The terrorists were well-armed, with a meticulously planned project and a spine-chilling determination to die. In the process more than a hundred lives have been lost, including those of some of Mumbai’s top cops. Given the ATS activity in the state, perhaps these attacks were triggered by a mixed motive of revenge, hatred, jeopardising investigations in process as well as the elections. There isn’t a moment to lose. The government must be extremely vigilant, nab the culprits and ensure that life gets back to normal soon.

— Abdun Nasir Ali Delhi

• A few terrorists hold a city like Mumbai to ransom. Innocent lives are lost and efficient police officers die. How could this happen despite the security alerts and despite the intelligence agencies at work? Terrorists strike India’s financial capital with impunity again and again and again. But we never seem to learn; at least, the government doesn’t. Mumbai will rise again from the ashes. But one suspects that such coordinated, well-planed and well-executed attacks can’t involve only domestic elements. There’s a strong possibility that there is some powerful foreign backing behind these operatives.

— S.N. Kabra Mumbai

Words don’t do

• As we express our heartfelt sorrow for the families of the victims, we should request the media to not broadcast and print the hollow words of assurance from politicians, especially those of the home minister, Shivraj Patil. Patil has spectacularly failed in his primary responsibilities as home minister. It is best that he keep away from Mumbai henceforth as well as every other site of terror and let professionals, such as the unfortunate Hemant Karkare, do their work.

... contd.