This refers to your edit (‘Three sets of questions’, December 1). The havoc created by the terrorists at the Taj, the Oberoi, the CST and Nariman House is all the more shocking since there were intelligence reports that an attack would take place from the sea route — since the terrorists had already done a recce of the places they finally struck at, they were able to do a lot more damage. As for the NSG taking 60 long hours to complete the operation, this was mainly because of two factors. Firstly, they were based out of Manesar and so it took several hours for them to reach Mumbai. Second, their main priority was to get all the hostages out safely and so they could not possibly storm the properties. You are absolutely right that detailed floor plans of the hotels should have been taken from the hotel authorities and given to the NSG once the commandos reached the spot.
At this stage, will the resignations of the home minister and state deputy CM help in any way? The government is trying to apply a balm on all that has happened just because it knows that elections are not far away. The damage has already been done and the UPA will have to pay dearly.
Bal Govind, Noida
Readers should write to:
The Editor, Business Standard,
Nehru House, 4, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110 002,
Fax: (011) 23720201; letters@bsmail.in