REVIEW 
MUMBAI SIEGE 
Edited by P. C. Dogra
Lancer's Books,
Rs 495.
Blurb
The book relates to the 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbaikars. It exposed the chinks in India's armour and its pussy footed leadership. The terror attacks sponsored from across the border were not some thing new for the Indian.
But the siege of Mumbai shook the whole nation. Forum on Integrated National Security Chandigarh organized a 'Citizens Initiative', comprising of the professional elite, who are now retired but have held very key and sensitive assignments in the security and foreign establishments of the Govt. of India and the state Govts. There emerged a wide spectrum of view from the extreme to the balanced on. There are also workable and professional action plans. The book is the outcome of these deliberations.
Lessons from 26/11 The Hindu
The brutal attack on India's financial capital on the evening of November 26, 2008, like 9/11 in the United States, has spawned abundant literature, most of it bordering on the pedestrian and superficial. This book falls in that category. A compendium of talks delivered at a seminar held in Chandigarh within days of the Mumbai horror, it throws up little that is not already known. However, it deserves some consideration because of the eminence of the participants, who ranged from law enforcement officers and Army generals to academicians.
The attack on Mumbai demonstrated that we as a nation are inept when it comes to rapid response to terrorism. And this, nearly a decade after 9/11, which had been studied extensively over the years by experts the world over and relevant lessons learnt.
The New York City administration, notwithstanding a few minor shortcomings, rose to the occasion and organised quick rescue and relief. Unfortunately, one did not see this level of efficiency in Mumbai on that fateful November evening. Precious young police lives were lost, all because they did not wear quality bullet-proof clothing. Also, the head of the city police, by all accounts, just stuck to a corner and did not move around to take charge of an evolving crisis.
The attack on Mumbai demonstrated that we as a nation are inept when it comes to rapid response to terrorism. And this, nearly a decade after 9/11, which had been studied extensively over the years by experts the world over and relevant lessons learnt.
The New York City administration, notwithstanding a few minor shortcomings, rose to the occasion and organised quick rescue and relief. Unfortunately, one did not see this level of efficiency in Mumbai on that fateful November evening. Precious young police lives were lost, all because they did not wear quality bullet-proof clothing. Also, the head of the city police, by all accounts, just stuck to a corner and did not move around to take charge of an evolving crisis.
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