We in India have been tolerating Pakistan and its terrorism for over 25 years - they first used Punjab, then Kashmir and now have taken to attacking us all over the country. I am not a person who reacts to every such incident with the usual vitriol several of my countrymen rightly feel against Pakistan. In fact, in several debates I am a loner suggesting possible peace with Pakistan.

I have had it now. This attack on the heart of India strikes right at all what is going right for India. India has faced an attack every month for the last one year. And none of these attacks are in Kashmir or on military installations. They are on common people - innocent victims caught in a terrorist nation's desperate moves.

I have lost a very dear friend in these attacks in Mumbai, whose only fault was that he was celebrating his 5 year marriage anniversary with a quiet dinner with his wife at the Taj Hotel. He was shot in front of his wife by the Pakistani terrorists. Her mother says that she is in shock and will need intensive psychatric treatement for a long time.

I say India should go ahead and launch air strikes on all known terrorist camps and centers in Pakistan. Everyone knows they are there and where they are. So what if that leads to increased terrorist attacks on India. It is not as if they are any less right now. What if Pakistan fights back, you say. Go ahead and finish that terrorist nation off once and for all. What about world opinion, you say. Well, the world opinion is in India's favor right now. How ironic that the US wants India to show restraint and not secure their country so that they can enlist the terrorist state Pakistan to fight terrrorism. What if Pakistan launches a nuclear strike, you say. That is horrible and will affect more people than necessary. But there seems to be no other option. If they do launch a nuclear strike, we should obliterate Pakistan.

I know I am sounding very radical. Believe me, I am not. I am most moderate. But my moderation and those of my countrymen is out of choice and not a weakness.

I'm sorry for your loss, I extend my condolences to you and the family. However I think it's not wise to act while we are blinded with rage and jump into conclusions. Until India is sure that they came from Pakistan, India should use their diplomatic skills first to solve this issue, military is always a last resort. War will ruined both countries. If Pakistan initiate a preemptive attack, you know the world will back India, loss will be inevitable but let's not go for the enemy but wait for the enemy to come to you.

I am deeply sorry about what happened to your friend. It's understandable why you would feel so much anger against Pakistan. However, if India does go to war with Pakistan, millions more people in both India and Pakistan will also end up losing their friends and family. Would you really want the same thing to happen to millions of other people?

Think with your head, not your heart.

Head says "annahilate those who are bleeding India through thousand cuts".

Head should also say that it is almost impossible for a group of non-professional 10 to navigate 600 km and hit Bombay. Land route seems to be a better option for terrorists either from the other side or inside of border. Govt of India says that it has proof, but has not yet produced any. Fingerpointing may be a good way to pass time, but it does not help anybody. Instead of fingerpointing, govt should try to find out who really are responsible.

What the hell do you think of yourself? Even at a time when Pakistani terrorists came and gunned down hundreds of innocents, you can't keep your jingoistic trap shut. Everyone including US investigators has identified the lone surviving Pakistani terrorist. The Pakistanis seem to be only ones refusing to accept that.

If you really believe that the world needs any more proof that Pakistan is a terrorist state after all they have been doing in India, Afghanistan and all over the world, then there is no point talking to you.

http://www.rttnews.com/Content/GeneralNews...1&Id=804669

American investigators who questioned Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist captured in the November 26 attacks in Mumbai, are convinced he is a Pakistani national and that the attacks was planned and executed by the Pak-based Islamic terrorist group Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), media reports, quoting diplomatic sources, said Tuesday.

"The investigators believe the attacks were planned, coordinated and directed from Pakistan by LeT leaders," a source said.

A team from the FBI, who was allowed to access to Kasab, questioned him for nine hours. Their conclusions corroborate the findings of Indian investigators that he was a member of the LeT and belonged to Faridkot village in Pakistan's Punjab province.

Last week, Kasab's father admitted to a Pakistani newspaper that the gunman whose pictures were beamed around the world by the media was indeed his son.

The FBI and other western investigating agencies have taken DNA samples of all the nine LeT militants killed in the Mumbai attacks to ascertain if they had any Afghan or other terror links as the probe found that the nature of explosive devices was quite similar to those used in Afghanistan.
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This is an unbiased article not from a Paki or an India newspaper. What do you think? Obviously the Pak media will clear Pak of all charges and the Indian media will accuse Pakistan. But this is foreign media. You sound like a literate person. Please be a bit more unbiased and realize the hard facts. Pakistan is the center of global terrorism today. I am an Indian but I can still accept all the faults of India - corruption, ill-disciplined political class, caste system etc. Why can't you?

Warnings handed out for double posting. Please do not double post!

I very much accept that Pakistan has become the center of terrorism. However, I want an unbiased investigation of the Bombay terrorist attack. We better wait to see what the neutral investigators dig out.

What bothers me is that even before the situation was brought under control and nobody was arrested, the Indian Prime Minister started to fingerpoint at Pakistan. A Prime Minister should speak when he has sound proofs in his hands, but, he did not follow this procedure. Was it because of election in India, one may ask.

This is too good to be true. A muslim quoting the American FBI to prove the truth of the matter he asserts. Surely you see the irony.

They are desperate. Even Pakistani newspapers are making their own stories bending facts whichever suits them.

What's happening in Pakistan is very complicated, but slowly I am starting to understand. Pakistan is a failed state, and now it is on the verge of being declared a state sponsor of terrorism. International warrants are being circulated for the arrest of former military and intelligence officers. The rump Zardari government is unable to exercise sovereignty over all of Pakistan's territory. Pakistan is a proliferator of nuclear weapons technology. The Americans of Pakistani origin that I know are deeply ashamed. This will not end well for Pakistan.

You must be a buddy of Russell Peters

What's so odd about that? Most American Muslims are loyal to America... or so I've heard.

What's so odd about that? Good question.

There are many ways to answer that question. It resonates on a number of levels. If I respond solely from an intellectual perspective my answer would be different than a response based solely on emotion. I am deeply conflicted. So when in doubt I turn to my own personal formula. All Americans are entitled to their constitutional rights. No one is entitled to my trust until it has been earned.

to TC: You shouldn't fight fire with fire, by wanting to follow up an attack from Pakistanis terrorists by hurting innocent civilians in Pakistan you wouldn't be solving the situation at all but rather intensifying things and only making the gap between India and Pakistan that much larger. Plus if India was to attack Pakistan, then many Indian Muslims might turn on their own country which would be the worst result that anybody could ask for. Right now India is attacking as a nation united but war is not always the answer. Btw I am half-Pakistani(and half-Lebanese) and and a moderate Muslim. Killing moderate Muslims wouldn't solve this problem at all. If anything India and Pakistan need to work together to gain tighter control over Pakistan's tribal areas in their Northern Areas and the tribal lands of Pashtuns. By extending Pakistan's power to those areas, terrorists will no longer have a government-less place to plot attacks from. I personally believe that Pakistan's attempts to curb terrorism are sincere but their president is working with the fierce opposition from the people of northern Pakistan, and added to the slowing down of their economy, tensions are becoming rather high.(as is shown within SWAT valley) But do not blame the people of Pakistan in general but rather an intense minority(thousands) of radical governances where anything goes. That is where the focus should be rather than in New Delhi or Islamabad.

And as a Pakistani-American I am ashamed of how poorly Pakistan is handling terrorism and how it is spreading through the north like rapid fire ruining the natural beauty of their lands. Zardari is better than Musharraf but by following the US for their government, Pakistan is failing. US ideals do not work in a place like Pakistan and it is fruitless to continue to try. Pakistan needs a more authoritative government with stricter power that can rule over ALL of Pakistan's land and influence Kashmir in a positive way rather then pull strings for war. But the people of India need to realize that death doesn't always lead to life and such a philosophy will not save the people of Pakistan or India.

Now that I have calmed down, I agree with you. The only thing which can help Pakistan now and thereby help India is to strengthen the democratic institutions in Pakistan. That means the democratic parties, the electoral process, the civil service, the judiciary etc. This will over time help defeat terrorism in the region.

Also now that things have calmed a bit, more India-Pakistan measures are needed. Going on a cricket tour (maybe 6 months later) would be a start. Doing cultural, people to people and eventually trade exchanges will deepen the relationship. As they say, nothing is stronger than money.

I respect your comments and look forward to reasoned debate with you.

Thanks, and I wholeheartedly agree that Pakistan and India need to become closer and work as one(even with minor things like cricket) in cultural ways and in government ways. Perhaps an interfaith dialogue between Muslims-Sikhs-Hindus-Parsis-Jains-and Buddhists would help bridge the gap andf realize that while everybody always talks about the differences between the two countries, Pakistanis and North Indians are basically identical genetically and share a common history(even Afghanistan shares this much with us). Both nations were conquered by the Mughals, and the British. I wonder if we would be having these problems today if Jinnah and Gadhi's talks for unification would have worked. Pakistan would certainly have more Hindus and Sikhs to say the least and would be more open to India.

The problem with democracy in Pakistan is that many people over there are frustrated and resort to extremism to solve their problems(certianly not the majority but a fair percentage, esp. in the uneducated) and thus the people might not be able to be trusted with such responsibility, at least the uneducated. While moderates do exist, the frustrated lower class tends to be the majority in these things unfortunately. I fear what would happen if the will of Northern Pakistan were to come into fruition as a form of legitimate government. Hopefully Pakistan finds a decent leader sooner or later because Musharraf and Zardari are both not getting anything done on Pakistan's northwestern borders. Maybe some answers will come when Obama comes into office in America because he seems to at least be taking a different approach to Pakistan rather then basically ignoring it. But the problem isn't with the majority of Pakistan whom happen to be peace loving people trying to make a decent living(like all of us) and morality. But the minority is the problem whom cover their political agenda with Allah and make Islam look bad to western society and to India when Islam isn't the problem but the oppressive governments are, whom frutrate people to the point where suicide bombing become "martyrdom" rather then what it really is: politically frustrated people willing to die for a cause. This isn't a "Holy Battle" by any means. I have no idea what religion you are, but I hope that you do not judge all Muslims based on the activites of a few thousand people who have nothing to do with Islam.

I mean democracy works well in a nation such as India, except for the Naxalites, and for such a diverse nation that is something to be proud of that India as a people are smart and proud enough to look past their differences and unite behind common causes. Although I dont know what India's lower castes contribute to chaos or peace in India and I am a bit curious as to their role in India's democracy(positive or negative). But I would like to hear your opinion as to what the correct solution is to Kashmir(a double-sided argument) and the tribal areas. How far do you think India needs to become involved?

I agree with you. You are right. We are two nations bound by over 5,000 years of history but separated by 60 years of politics.

You are right about democracy being the ultimate solution. India definitely has its share of problems. But as a diverse nation, it would be far worse without democracy. India's lower castes would have gone the way of violence if not for electoral choice. They have now used their numbers to create powerful parties which represent their interests like BSP.

I am a hindu and I definitely don't judge all muslims by the action of these few idiots. I have a lot of muslim friends and in fact a few Pakistani friends as well. Some of them are quite appalled by what is happening in Pakistan and others feel it is a ploy by foreign powers. Well, to each his or her own opinion I guess.

Personally, I feel India and Pakistan should accept that neither is going to give up their portion of Kashmir. Unfortunately it is too political and strategic for either one to seen as losing. Also for this very reason, Kashmiris will not be allowed by India or Pakistan to go independent too. Then based on reduced cross-border terroritsm, both should bring down their troop levels and allow families across Kashmir to visit the other portion on special visas. This will bring down tensions overall. This will also allow them to divert troops to other needy areas - Pakistan towards its western border, India towards naxalites and the north east. Then a fair democratic rule across Kashmir plus increased investments will eventually bring lasting peace to the entire region.

Agreed, honestly if I had to choose one nation, Kashmir should probably go to India if only because in India their government is strogn enough to control their people unlike Pakistan. Independence is not a solution as I believe it would turn out to be much like Kosovo or worse, Rwanda with extreme civil strife.
By the way I am currently taking a course in Hinduism at college and Im noticing how similar our two religions are(especially Sufism which I lean towards), Hinduism is very intriguing to me, if this semester goes well Ill probably look further into it. Plus I am looking to learn Sanskrit as it is the ultimate language of my history(as is yours) as South Asians. The more I think about it the more I realize that South Asia should probably be one country with multiple semi-autonomous states rather than the third world mess that it has become since the British came in(although India seems to be rising out of this category extremely quickly). Unity provides strength moreso than discord and strife. If Pakistanis and Indians could realize that their histories are nearly identical(along with Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and parts of SE Asia) and are our blood and souls then SOuth Asia would become a much better place. I personally want to be able to one day visit Kashmir and many other areas of Pakistan and India as a tourist, but right now it just seems to dangerous and nerveracking. =(
Its unfortunate that pakistanis seem to ignore their own heritage by speaking Urdu(basically Persian with some Sanskrit influence) rather then Hindi or Punjabi as their official language. They write in the perso-arabic script when it should be devanagari or gurumukhi. As a liberal Muslim(I am actually open to religious change, I am only 18 and my spritual journey is far from complete) I notice how we as SOuth Asians shouldn't be seperate because of religion but unite because of our ability to overcome diversity throughout history.
On a final point I am glad to see that most Indians I know seem to be willing to compromise with pakistanis on many issues and try to reach a middle ground. I just wish that most Pakistanis were the same way. Its not even a religious question as a lot of Indian Muslims share my view too...