The fact that the Manchester blast follows a series of attacks on the European continent — in Westminster, Paris, Berlin and Nice — is a disquieting reminder of the potency of lone suicide-bombing (“22 die in Manchester attack, IS claims responsibility”, May 24). It also points to the fact that despite super-sophisticated security measures that are being adopted by these developed nations, their security is far from being foolproof. Evidently the countries being targeted are up against the odds as Islamic radicals, who, ironically, otherwise claim to shun modernity, are increasingly using social media to lure gullible youngsters into carrying out these attacks. Unless this trend is effectively curbed, the world will continue to remain insecure. A terrible fallout of these attacks is that it is wont to perpetuate more of the ongoing hate crimes in the western world and damage the social fabric. Nonetheless, what has been especially touching is the city’s five gurdwaras magnanimously lending a helping hand to the injured and the needy (‘World’ page – “Gurudwaras step in with help”, May 24).
Nalini Vijayaraghavan,
Thiruvananthapuram
The terror strike shows that the Islamic State is clearly losing the plot and is resorting to frantic ways to continue to cause carnage and terror. With its numbers dwindling and no takers for its extreme type of propaganda, it is apparent that time is fast running out for the IS. The international community would do well to be on eternal vigil and step up the war on terror.
N.J. Ravi Chander,
Bengaluru