The killing of bin Laden may lead to retaliatory attacks by the al-Qaeda or jihad inspired terror groups. We need to guard against them. Second, we must realise that the U.S. is playing a layered game with Pakistan to suit its own interests. So, India cannot take anything for granted. We have to be guided by our own national interests, strengths, and circumstances.
Madhu R.D. Singh,
Ambala
Osama bin Laden's death will probably be the biggest and most talked about event of 2011. His killing in Pakistan provides yet another glaring proof of Islamabad's murky association with terror outfits. Osama's death may deal a symbolic and strategic blow to his supporters but it is unlikely to decapitate the al-Qaeda. The ideas he espoused will surely not die in the near future. It is interesting that the most wanted man in the U.S. was actually the CIA's brainchild — the same CIA which launched the largest manhunt to get him.
Kamolini Ghosh,
Kolkata
Finally, the al-Qaeda leader met his end at the hands of commandos belonging to the country that nurtured him. One hopes the U.S. will refrain from creating more such monsters which might turn on it one day. The world should brace itself against backlashes and repercussions in retaliation to Osama's death.
Sachin Kumar,
Begusarai
In order to fight the Soviet forces in Afghanistan, the U.S. encouraged the Taliban and, subsequently, paid for its action. It is now very clear that Pakistan sheltered Osama, the most wanted terrorist. The U.S. should declare Pakistan a terrorist state. It should not repeat the mistake of the 1980s again.
Israel Devadason,
Tirunelveli
Osama is dead, fear is not. People are, no doubt, indebted to all those who risked their lives to get rid of the terrorist. But his followers are unlikely to sit back with crossed arms. They are more enraged than ever before. A lurking fear, therefore, haunts people across the world.
K.A. Solaman,
Alappuzha
The war against terror should not be allowed to lose momentum until terrorism and terror infrastructures across the globe have been wiped out. Osama's death should serve as a strong motivation to wipe out terror.
Cho Vaidheeswaran,
Chennai
Strictly speaking, Osama might not have been the chief architect of all the al-Qaeda acts in the past decade. He merely existed, on the run from the U.S. intelligence agencies. By killing him, the U.S. has punished the perpetrator of a heinous crime. But it is not the end of global terror because Osama was only the ideological symbol of the al-Qaeda. Many terrorist organisations have sprung up in the last 10 years and continue to proliferate.
B. Surya Teja,
Khammam
The U.S. and its allies should concentrate on destroying all terrorist camps in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and rest of the world. Even more important is to anticipate the possibility of terrorist attacks following Osama's elimination, and take necessary precautions. The international community should draw a comprehensive action plan.
Neha Veeravalli,
Visakhapatnam
That bin Laden is dead is indeed a matter of relief, at least for the time being. But one wonders what the consequences of his death will be. Fundamentalism has grown manifold after 9/11. All countries that have supported the war against terror will now have to remain united. This war cannot be won if differences crop up.
Sneha Bhattacharjee,
New Delhi
The one who lives by the sword dies by the sword. Osama was a confirmed terrorist and sent shivers down the spine. While we wish that the al-Qaeda would go down with him, we cannot help feeling there will be reprisal attacks. We should be vigilant so that innocent lives are not lost.
Sundar Viswanathan Nair,
Coimbatore
Osama's end may mark the end of the al-Qaeda leader's atrocities but it does not spell the end of terrorism which is deep rooted. His death will doubtless lead to many dangerous and deadly attacks.
Pudi Pawan Kumar,
Vijayawada
