Lankans Attacked

The news of the past few days is the terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team. Astonishing. I am baffled at the terrorist framework in Pakistan. They appear to have perfected a system of planning and implementing focused attacks. Left me wondering what would have happened had that rocket not missed the bus or the grenade thrown below the bus exploded or one of the terrorist got on board the bus!!

This attack was copy of Mumbai attacks of Nov. Whats frustrating is not even one terrorist was wounded and all fled in the bylanes of Lahore. How disgusting and shameful. Wake up Pakistan.

I am not a cricket fan and dont even know the Sri Lankan cricketer names, but its clear the terrorists mean business. Attacking an international sports team should be deeply condemned and I would be happy if this leads to complete sporting isolation of Pakistan. What's wrong with you guys, one day entire Marriott is blown to smithereens, the other day sporting guests are attacked. Pathetic.. if its in the name of religion. Dont know what's the motif.

Update: AND it appears the blame is being put on India !! ha ha ha .. oh my gosh .. listening to Pakistani logic is more funny than watching Mr. Bean. Ha ha ha.. haa aaa
( More here )

Finally..

At last, the great denial appears to be showing signs of cracking, Pakistan confirms that the lone captured terrorist of 26/11 is a Pakistani national. (Link to Dawn, Pakistan's widely circulated daily). Also read this post regarding the dossier of evidence prepared by Indian authorities which has transcripts of verbal talk between the gunmen and their handlers.

So there is progress, finally. I was afraid President Zardari would seek Kasab's class X & XII passing certificates, Income Tax returns, original of driving license (duly attested by gazetted government official) as proof for establishing his nationality. Also, (he could have said) "Only if all four years marksheets for graduation and provident fund details were available could Pakistan consider him culpable under its jurisdiction". It appears this might not be required.

Over one month has transpired since 26/11, and I am exasperated with Pakistan. I completely fail to understand the collective conscience (or lack of) among the common people. I have just one word to describe the seriatim of responses from our estranged cousins - immature. The hyperbole of naivete was blaming India for Lahore blasts. I had laughed at this, really.

I have just one complaint from Pakistan. Its adamant refusal to accept reality. Before I point a finger to my neighbour, I know that four fingers point back to me. I am appalled, shocked and ashamed with B Ramalinga Raju, dishonorable chairman and founder of Satyam. I absolutely denounce any stratification of society based on caste, sub caste, sub-sub-caste which currently finds currency in India's ethos. I fail to understand what the Maoists and Naxals are trying to achieve. I hate dynastic politics and have strong aversion to coalition politics. I am aghast at the objectives of home grown terror groups like SIMI, Indian Mujahideen and Hindu extremists. All these and thousand more, are the chronic epidemics crippling India and its citizens future. I so much hope such frank acceptance like mine also echoes in the lands across Wagah. Unfortunately, in my reading of Pakistan media I found overwhelmingly few articles of soul searching. Too few to build up decible levels for drowning the constant jingoist anti India din. I would love to be wrong, but that needs to be proved. And proof does not mean Zardari's definition.

Mumbai Attacks IV

I am quite amused by the recent hoax call to President Zardari. In fact, it was just the bit of ass kicker injection which the doctor had ordered. Whoever did that, good job buddy.

Although I had planned to write about what I think should be done to free us from the scrouge of terror, I understand that this may not be a task which I can do justice to. I frankly dont know much to comment on the NSG, intelligence failure, constitutional amendments. All around me, each and every intellectual is talking about 'What should be done'. In a true Lincolnian democracy, there can be no talkers without listeners. So I choose to serve my country by listening to all arguments, criticism, plans, call for actions being voiced around. Someday, when I mature enough to understand the complexities of my country I shall surely speak out.

Having said that, I do see one area where I have a relative edge over my fellow citizens. Having lived in the UAE for over 3 years and travelled across other Islamic countries, I possess a outsider non US view to India. I have worked closely with executives at all levels in a leading bank in Pakistan. Further, I have spent half a day with the head of Private Banking/Wealth Management of this particular bank. So, I have a perspective towards Pakistan and Pakistanis which most Indians might not have yet seen. I was completley confused by the anti India propaganda being aired on Paki television shows. I mean, till how long will our friends in Pakistan live in a state of denial. Even after this, which happened only a few days after the Mumbai attacks. Doesnt the Pakistani conscience ever knock twice?

While on this issue, I came across the most audacious and incriminating article I have read during the last week. It ostensibly blames the ISI and talks of a shocking revelation that the Al Qaeda + Lashkar combine highjacked a low key terror strike on J&K from the ISI's drawing board and developed it into the Mumbai Attacks. Regardless whether this is fact or fiction, its a compelling read. Leave your household chores and please read this.