Those who witnessed the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks say the Paris carnage hits too close to home, shocked that such attacks have recurred
Those who witnessed the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks say the Paris carnage hits too close to home, shocked that such attacks have recurred
Even as news of the terror attacks in Paris trickled in through the early hours of Saturday — attacks across six locations, concertgoers at the Bataclan hall, over 100 civilians killed and dozens more injured — triggered shock across the globe, for those in Mumbai who had lived through the horror of the 26/11 attacks, the attacks in Paris has a peculiar resonance. Even as news agencies pointed out the many similarities between the modus operandi of the attacks in Paris and Mumbai, social media was flooded with messages about the cities being “soul sisters”.
Among those who watched with horror as the Paris attacks unfolded was inspector Sanjay Govilkar, widely known as the police officer who caught Ajmal Kasab during the 26/11 attacks. “An attack of this nature is an attack on humanity — because ultimately, they (terrorists) ate taking the lives of their fellow human beings, not attacking some religion or an idea,” Govilkar rued.
But the inspector also felt that some good had come out of the Mumbai attacks — which helped Parisians cope with their own crisis. “I think the Mumbai attacks definitely played a part in sending a warning signal to cities all over the world, and helped them prepare (for such eventualities). The police force in any city is meant to safeguard law and order, but any terrorist attack is an act of war. And we can’t depend on the armed forces to fight it for us all the time. We realised after 26/11 that the police force has to be well equipped to handle such threats themselves. All over the world, police forces learned this, and I do believe that this helped the (Paris police) combat the terror siege so well this time round.”
For film and TV actor Ashish Chowdhry, who lost his sister and brother-in-law in the 26/11 attacks, the grief of those who lost their loved ones in the Paris attacks was all too tangible. While Ashish had been asked to share a message with families of the Paris attack victims, he demurred. “I doubt if any message will help them right now, because when 26/11 happened, I just didn’t want to hear from anyone,” the actor told us. “But it is important that you move on. Share your strengths with others, not your weaknesses. Above all, help each other overcome this together.”
Ashish also expressed his sorrow over the fact that attacks like these “keep happening, over and over” “But it is also a reminder of just how imperative it is to strike at terrorism’s roots,” he added. “The key to combat terrorism is not to be terrorised.”
Then there were also those like Marina Cardoz (name changed) who was working at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Colaba when the 26/11 attacks took place. Marina and her father (also an employee at the time) were both trapped in the hotel for days while rescue operations were mounted. She still hasn’t overcome the trauma of the attacks, and admitted to us that she hadn’t been able to watch the Paris carnage because it hit too close to home. “The Paris attacks have definitely been on the same lines as Mumbai’s — they have targeted crowded places across the city simultaneously. Although to be very honest, when I heard about the attack, I did not watch the news as I did not want it to bring back memories from the Taj attack,” Marina said. “It has been really hard for me to forget what happened.”
On Twitter Prithuyushas Mishra: The modus operandi of terrorist in #Paris attack is similar to #Mumbai attacks. Preparators should be dealt with an iron fist. Ashok Garekar: #Paris & #Mumbai are Soul Cities..both suffered Terror Attacks,#AmchiMumbai in 2008 & #SabKaParis in 2015 Beena Sarwar: #Paris attacks remind me of #Mumbai Nov 2008 - well armed attackers, spread out, public spots, took hostages, horror amplified by media Tanuj Garg: #Mumbai is no stranger to terror attacks. We know that sinking feeling #Paris. Looks like the IS is at it. Nothing & nowhere’s safe #JeSuisParis Shubhra Sasmit: It’s #Mumbai all over again, #Paris my thoughts are with you tonight, these terrorists should be annihilated once and for all Charmaine Edwards: The way the #Paris horror is unfolding reminds me of the 26/11 #Mumbai carnage
‘Our customers are safe’ As news of the Paris attacks unfolded, there was not much information on the Indian tourists who might be stranded there. When we contacted leading tour operators Thomas Cook India, the managing director Madhavan Menon told us that efforts were on to ensure that all their customers who were in Paris and France, were brought home safely.
“Our teams have been working in close coordination with our on-ground tour managers and partners in France; our customers and tour manager in Paris are safe and we are in contact with them to ensure their safety and return back to their home cities,” Mr Menon told us. “Our heart goes out to the families of those who have lost their lives in the Paris attacks and we condemn in the strongest terms, such acts of terrorism,” he added.
As to whether or not Indian tourists would shy away from planning visits to Paris in the aftermath of the attacks, Mr Menon said he anticipated no drop in the number of travellers who expressed interest in travelling to Paris/France. “France does hold favoured destination status with our travellers (across segments) and we expect no change in demand. We stand in solidarity with the people of France and will continue to focus strongly on leveraging the potential of destination France.”
