26/11 Anniv: Mumbai now seems better prepared to deal with terror attacks

Mumbai, Nov 25 (PTI) Three years after terrorists struck this western Indian metropolis leaving 166 dead, India's financial capital seems better prepared to deal with such attacks having set up an elite commando unit and plans to fit transponders in boats of fishermen to detect suspicious movement. The government of the western Indian state of Maharashtra of which Mumbai is the capital has fulfilled "majority of the recommendations" of the Ram Pradhan committee that was instituted after the 26/11 attacks of 2008 to suggest measures on how to improve the security system in the state, Maharashtra's Additional Chief Secretary (Home) U C Sarangi said. "On the lines of the NSG (National Security Guard outfit of India government), we have set up a 350 strong elite commando unit called Force One which is well equipped with the latest weapons and trained by Army and foreign experts. Every year, Rs 17 crore (about USD 3.4 million) is being spent on this unit," he said. As part of security measure to protect shores of Mumbai, Maharashtra Government plans to fit transponders in the boats of fishermen along the coast. However, some problem areas still remain. Maharashtra's Anti-Terrorism Squad ATS is grappling with a severe manpower crunch with 283 posts of the total 732 lying vacant, two-and-a-half years after the panel, set up to probe state police's response to the Mumbai attacks recommended streamlining the force. Of the sanctioned strength of 732 personnel for the ATS, which was formed in 2004 to counter terrorism and probe terror cases, 283 posts or 38.66 percent of the required manpower are lying vacant as on September 1, 2011, ATS sources said. Ahead of the 26/11 anniversary, there is no specific threat or input from intelligence agencies but there is always a chance that terror outfits could resort to a "symbolic strike" to mark the third anniversary of the worst terror strike on India, home department sources said. Among the events being held tomorrow is the unveiling of a memorial for slain Assistant Sub Inspector Tukaram Ombale. A bust of Ombale will be unveiled at Girgaum Chowpatty where on that fateful night Ombale lost his life trying to nab terrorist Ajmal Kasab. Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan will be laying a wreath at the martyrs memorial situated at Police gymkhana in South Mumbai. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will be present. But Kavita Karkare, wife of slain ATS chief Hemant Karkare, says she is shocked at the apathy of the government. "Our leaders had made tall claims that the security system has been strengthened and no such attack will take place again. But the blasts in July this year exposed hollowness of their claims," she said. 174 persons including 26 foreigners were killed and 311 persons were injured in the multi-point attacks on November 26, 2008 on the city by terrorists who had arrived by sea. PTI