The Bombay Blasts

"Seven bombs hit Bombay's commuter rail network during rush hour Tuesday evening, killing as many as 100 people and wounding 250 in what authorities called a well-coordinated attack."

Yet another attack. These blasts followed the morning blasts in Srinagar. The Home Minister said the incidents were unfortunate. Pakistan president offered condolences over the loss of life. Congress President Sonia Gandhi will visit the site together with the Home Minister. And wow is that all!

More than a hundred people die and what the govt has to offer is condolences. It's difficult to understand how big is the magnitude of a tragedy supposed to be to qualify for centre's action against it? It just reminds one of the incidents preceding 2001. First it was the IC-814 hijack, then attacks in J&K and finally only when the parliament was attacked did the govt think it appropriate to send a strong signal to Pakistan.

Of course the Bombay bomb blasts are a nothing as compared to the 13th December attack on parliament, so if we're hoping for some stern actions on part of New Delhi, then we are certainly mistakened. Come on those who perished were just "normal" citizens and not high profile people. And yes of course doesn't the Congress party have other important works like the upcoming elections in UP to oversee? Oh yes, it's better for them to plan the election strategy rather than trying to resolve this bomb blast mystery. Anyways it wasn't Rahul Gandhi who was on board those trains, so it doesn't make much of a difference.

The year 2006 has witnessed increased terrorist activities. The infiltration levels this year have been higher than the previous few years and the attempts now are desperate. They have started attacking the innocent tourists now. So there is clear cut overhaul of strategy on the part of the terrorist organisations. It's high time we alter our strategy to tackle the menace of cross-border terrorism now.

Yes there is an ongoing peace process with Pakistan. But it's only the Indian blood that is sacrificing itself to carry this peace process go forward. It's high time we act proactively to see that no more Indian blood is shed over this so called peace process. Because if this is the cost at which peace is to be bought, it's certainly a bad bargain.

It's important to understand that India should now take steps on its own to tackle this menace of terrorism. Pakistan is either unwilling or unable to check the activities in PoK. So now it's our time to clean up things in PoK as it is bothering us more than anyone else. Hope the govt wakes up to the reality and takes some bold actions beyond the obvious political rhetoric.