C Pradeep Kumar
The Inside Story Still Haunts
On November 26, 2008, ten heavily armed terrorists from across the border unleashed unprecedented horror on Mumbai. But long before the first bullet was fired, the nation had already been betrayed — not just by foreign enemies but perhaps by its gatekeepers. The wounds of that night still burn — not merely from the violence inflicted but from the many disturbing questions that remain unanswered.
Was it just incompetence — or was there complicity?
Multiple intelligence alerts — both domestic and foreign — had warned of a sea-route attack, flagged specific targets like the Taj Hotel, and even identified operatives like David Headley. Yet these warnings were ignored, dismissed, or grossly underacted upon. Why
- Intelligence Warnings Ignored
Between September and November 2008, at least five warnings were issued by the U.S. and Israel regarding a possible maritime terror attack on Mumbai. These alerts mentioned high-profile targets like the Taj and Oberoi hotels.
David Headley, later convicted in the U.S. for his role as a Lashkar-e-Taiba scout, visited India multiple times — under his real name — to conduct reconnaissance. Indian intelligence failed to flag or monitor him. Was this sheer negligence, or was someone protecting him?
- Delayed Deployment: Incompetence or Intent?
NSG commandos, India’s elite counter-terror unit, were delayed by hours due to the lack of dedicated aircraft and bureaucratic red tape. In a moment that demanded split-second decisions, why did approvals and protocols still take precedence?
Why were local police poorly equipped? Why was the response staggered and chaotic? These aren’t just signs of inefficiency — they raise a darker possibility: was someone slowing things down on purpose?
- Political and Bureaucratic Interference
The late Hemant Karkare, chief of the Maharashtra ATS, was the first senior officer killed during the attacks. He had been investigating uncomfortable truths in the Malegaon blasts case. That night, he wore a bulletproof vest that later mysteriously “went missing.”
Was his death random — or convenient?
Why was CCTV footage from key locations either not functioning or never recovered? Why were reinforcements delayed, and who issued — or failed to issue — the right orders? Multiple reports point to indecision and interference from the highest political and bureaucratic levels.
- A Pattern of Silence and Denial
Fifteen years on, not a single top bureaucrat or politician has faced consequences for these catastrophic failures. Not one senior officer has been punished. Not one minister has been held accountable.
If this was solely an external act of terror, why did India’s internal systems fail so dramatically?
Is it unreasonable to ask: did someone benefit politically from the tragedy? Did someone choose to look away — or worse, enable the failure?
Our Demand: No One Above the Nation
India cannot afford to bury these questions beneath annual tributes and rhetorical outrage. True tribute to the martyrs of 26/11 lies in accountability — not just for the terrorists, but for those who let them succeed.
We, as vigilant citizens, demand:
- A fresh investigation into the systemic and political failures leading up to the attacks
- Accountability of those in power — bureaucrats or politicians — who failed the nation
- Declassification of intelligence inputs and communications in the days before and during the siege
- Judicial or parliamentary scrutiny of decision-making processes and delays
No chair, no title, no party color should shield the guilty. If those in power aided, ignored, or politically exploited the tragedy, they are no less culpable than the terrorists.
A Ray of Hope: Rana’s Extradition
After years of delay, the U.S. government has finally cleared the extradition of Tahawwur Rana — a key conspirator and close associate of David Headley. Widely believed to be one of the masterminds of the attacks, his extradition is the result of relentless diplomatic and legal pressure.
Credit where it’s due: the present NDA administration has kept up the heat to bring Rana to Indian courts. This development opens a crucial door into the deeper conspiracy and must not be allowed to fade into bureaucratic lethargy.
This is not vengeance. This is justice.
This is Dharma.
