A year after 173 defenceless people were killed

Come November 26, and Indians' minds instantly wander off to the horrifying scenes of terrorist mayhem at many important landmarks of Mumbai where a ‘gang of killers' from Pakistan slaughtered 173 defenceless men, women and children with sophisticated fire arms.

The scenes of black smoke belching out of the Taj hotel, a magnificent landmark near the imposing Gateway of India, will remain fresh in the memory of not only Mumbaikars but also the world at large shaken by the savagery of the heinous terrorist acts by extremists who orchestrated more than ten coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across Mumbai; the attacks are described as "India's 9/11".

After a feeble foot-dragging attitude for a year following the Mumbai mayhem, Pakistan has reluctantly indicted, apparently, under massive American pressure, seven persons for their involvement in conspiring, planning and facilitation of the Mumbai attacks. Until their indictment, Pakistan had recited its all-too-familiar excuse that India's evidence was not enough to substantiate the allegation of any Pakistani involvement.

With the indictment, Pakistan has tried to blunt some of the combined pressure from India and the US; it was no coincidence that Pakistan announced the indictment during Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's just-concluded state visit to the US where Pakistan's role in cross-border terrorism was discussed at length with the international media monitoring every word uttered by US President Barack Obama and Singh in Washington.

However, the world will now closely watch whether Pakistan is sincere about effectively prosecuting these seven defendants or gradually finding excuses to let them off the hook.

However, despite the American call that India and Pakistan resume their dialogue to resolve their outstanding disputes, including Kashmir, it will be very difficult for India to instantly signal its willingness to do so. Sentiments in India against Pakistan and the killers who massacred the innocent in Mumbai run very high, a sampling of which was available during the November 26 remembrance ceremony held to mark the anniversary of the Mumbai attacks. People not only called for the execution of the only surviving killer Ajmal Amir Qasab, currently facing trial in India, but also for India to wipe out extremist outfits in Pakistan if that country's government failed to do so. Indian politicians can hardly ignore the Indian public's anger and frustration. Although Singh ‘welcomed' Pakistan's indictment of the seven, he wanted others to be caught as well. He had earlier said that Masoud Azhar, Hafeez Saeed and other extremists pursuing a violent anti-India agenda moved freely in Pakistan, apparently, with the backing of its government.

Kashmir dispute

Pakistan, trying to portray Kashmir as the cause of the militancy against India, was told by Singh upon his arrival in Washington that the boundaries along Kashmir would "never be redrawn". This was, apparently a strong message to Pakistan not to use Kashmir as the reason for its covert or overt support for militants. Strategic thinkers, including many in the USA, argue that it would be naïve to expect terrorist activities against India to stop once the Kashmir dispute was resolved.

Indeed, terrorism had hardened India's resolve to fend off any forced solution of the Kashmir dispute, considering that India would appear as a weak state caving in to terrorism, a development that could also inspire other disgruntled groups to seek similar solution to their problems.

Alas, there is lack of realisation in Pakistan's fiercely anti-India military establishment that that country is itself being consumed by the flames of senseless militant violence. Next-door Afghanistan should have served as an eye opener to Pakistan's politicians and military leaders.

Meanwhile, Mumbai itself is far from safe from another deadly attack, even though the level of security consciousness of the average Mumbaikar has been raised since the November 26 attacks. Indeed, India's retired Major General V.K. Datta recently warned that another 26/11 could happen "any time". Mumbai, India's financial capital, is the nation's Achilles' heel; an attack on Mumbai could cripple India's booming economy.

Luxury hotels in India, including the Taj, have introduced baggage screening and searches. A new base for India's 250 elite National Security Guard commandos — one of four around the country — was established in Mumbai after criticism that they only arrived from their north India headquarters 10 hours after the Mumbai attacks. The Mumbai police central control room is being modernised and security cameras installed around the city. Some experts argue that the fact there have been no attacks in the last 12 months since the Mumbai attacks is proof the security measures have been effective. However, others say the overall security situation is far from satisfactory in this city.

November 26 will be a day of mourning and reflection in India because of the senseless loss of human life and destruction of property. Even if the wounds healed after some time, the scars will remain forever.

November 26 will be a day of mourning and reflection in India because of the senseless loss of human life and destruction of property. Even if the wounds healed after some time, the scars will remain forever.

Manik Mehta is a commentator on Asian affairs.