The blast on a suburban train in Mumbai on Thursday once again highlights the challenges of urban terrorism. The killing of 12 persons comes amidst a high security alert, with the city seeing through the 10th anniversary of the 1993 synchronised explosions and maintaining an extended vigil after three blasts in as many months. It is, however, the brutality and site of this latest blast that poses immense challenges. More than half of Mumbai’s estimated 17 million residents are dependent on local trains — clearly, the objective behind the strike was to shock them into panic as they go about their daily routine. The idea, it seems, was to cripple the city — one that is known for its restless, never-ending movement and energy, one that is regarded as an important engine in the creation of national wealth. For the authorities, the task is manifold. They must maintain, indeed step up, their vigil — both on the terrorist-criminal nexus as well as on panic attacks. It is heartening that even as emergency workers swung into action on the central line after the blast on Thursday night, services on the other lines remained mostly unimpeded. Scaring a populace into shell-shocked inertia — to spur them to cast suspicious and accusatory glances at fellow travellers — is the common aim of terrorists. To deny them that satisfaction and to temper security drills with a calm resolve to keep the city on the move are the most effective antidotes. Mumbai has repeatedly given evidence of its resilience, in the face of adversities as varied as communal riot, terrorist assault and natural calamity. There is no reason to doubt that Mumbaikars will do so yet again. No individual or organisation has yet claimed responsibility for the attack but there is swirling speculation over the possible motivations and masterminds behind it. A way to register the 10th anniversary of the March 13, 1993, explosions. Another episode to link up with the three blasts that have struck Mumbai recently. An isolated strike by persons seeking vengeance for a perceived wrong. If this multiple-choice explanation appears to offer nothing more than talking points, it does shed light on the dynamics of urban terrorism. Cities offer high-density targets. They offer the cover of anonymity to a perilous mix of organised crime, terrorists with international links and lone wolves driven by narrow considerations. It only underlines one thing. In a country of 365 days of anniversaries and holidays, the vigil must be permanent and unwavering.
