ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book. The book analyses the fragility of India's frontiers in its recent historical past; an inquiry into the grand design behind the 26/11 attacks; a narration of its execution; an assessment of India's response mechanism; and a projection on future terrorism in India. It examines why the city of Mumbai was attacked. The chapter discusses who were behind the attacks and explores why had India failed to face, if not prevent, the attacks? The Mumbai attacks were the first of their kind in mainland India, where armed militants successfully sneaked into a megacity to carry out their suicide strike. The Mumbai attacks were no ordinary terrorist hits, which makes their critical assessment and examination more significant. A civilian government was in place in Pakistan when the attacks took place. The court faltered in the face of the real challenge posed by the Mumbai attacks, which need introspection and deliberation.
