World

Mumbai attacks: Indian Govt admits to intelligence failure

by Sanjay Jha | December 5, 2008 at 01:09 am

430 views | 24 Recommendations | 7 comments

P Chidambaram, India's newly appointed home secretary, has admitted security and intelligence lapses in the wake of ghastly terror attack on India's commercial and entertainment capital Mumbai. This is the first public admission by such a high officials after the Mumbai terror attack. After visiting terror struck railway station Mumbai, He appealed to general public not to be harsh on security agencies.

His predecessor Shivraj Patil forced to resign after continously failing to check the spate of terrorist attacks.

“There have been lapses, and these are being looked into, “the Home Minister said while addressing a press conference shortly after he arrived in Mumbai and paid a visit to all the places affected by the terror attacks last week.

He also told reporters that “some security forces” may have failed but pointed out that hundreds more could have been killed in the city if the security personnel had not taken on the terrorists.

“We will address the causes that led to those lapses,” he added.

Chidambaram further assured the people of Maharashtra that the government is in no mood to spare the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

azzayindia

at 05:00 on December 5th, 2008

Well is it not to late for admitting the lapses.

hussain

at 05:15 on December 5th, 2008

Better late than never.

Uwe Paschen

at 06:24 on December 5th, 2008

How will that affect the Indian/ Pakistan relations?

vmpaloym

at 07:13 on December 5th, 2008

this gives some good insight from a few different perspectives- and discusses how the pakistan secret service plays into things and how it will affect the upcoming elections. : http://www.asiasociety.com/podcasts/subscribe.html

sandhyasuri

at 07:27 on December 5th, 2008

It is a first for the government to actually admit to security lapses.

The elections are going to be something else this time on. The masses will be on the watch no doubt...probably will be dependant on who sweeps the rubbish under the carpet with a finesse that nobody detects it.

azzayindia

at 08:17 on December 5th, 2008

it had no other choice because the public pressurewas mounting on the govt.by admitting the govt has not done any favour it had retierated the pundits stand that government ha failed on the security front

Nilesh Saraf (not verified)

at 11:52 on December 5th, 2008

Why is the Home Minister asking the public not to be harsh towards security agencies? Is this the usual "forgiveness" routine where as good citizens we are supposed to forget this happened and forgive the political leadership and be happy ever after?

I think listening to such requests weakens the collective will of the people to set matters right. Why should the the security agencies be excused?

There should be a detailed, public, televised inquiry of the top intelligence officials by a Government committee. I wonder if the politicians have a sense of responsibilty to atleast make this happen. They owe everyone a straightfaced, honest explanation of the facts.